Sibling Abuse Trauma

This book describes an integrative, strengths-based approach to individual and family psychotherapy guided by the effects of abuse trauma on the development of sibling relationships. It fills a void in the training and education of family violence professionals and validates sibling experiences as an important part of human development. The second edition has been revised and updated to reflect more than 15 years of advances in the child maltreatment field. Current essential information on sibling development is provided to clarify the context in which sibling relationships unfold, and research on sibling relationships throughout the life course is incorporated into a clinical approach for treating victims and survivors. This second edition, much like the first, focuses primarily on assessment and treatment. Rather than choosing to concentrate solely on sibling sexual abuse or assault, the book applies a more inclusive, integrative approach to the study of sibling abuse trauma. The clinical material and experiences portrayed take a trauma-informed systemic orientation and represent children, families, and adults who may not have been described adequately elsewhere. Concrete illustrations and extended session transcripts demonstrate therapeutic principles in action. Whether you incorporate these findings into your clinical practice or become inspired to conduct your own research, Sibling Abuse Trauma will improve your understanding of how to treat and evaluate individuals and families with sibling abuse-related concerns.

John V. Caffaro, PhD, currently serves as Distinguished Professor in the PsyD program at the California School of Professional Psychology-Los Angeles. He also holds an appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Child Psychiatry Residency Training Program at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He draws on more than 20 years of private practice experience working with trauma treatment and currently divides his time between psychotherapy, teaching, writing, and professional training.

Part I: The Context of Sibling Development and Maltreatment. The Sibling Domain. The Science of Sibling Relationships. Abusive Sibling Relationships. Part II: Sibling Violence and Sexual Abuse Sibling Sexual Abuse. Sibling Violence. Part III: Clinical Practice Assessment of Sibling Abuse. Clinical Best Practices with Children and Families. Intervention Strategies with Children and Families. Psychotherapy with Adult Survivors. Policy and Prevention. Appendix A: About the Research Project. Appendix B: The Sibling Abuse Interview. Appendix C: The Sibling Family-of-Origin Cartoon. Appendices. Appendix D: Semistructured Questionnaire, Adult Sibling Abuse Survivor Interview Questions.