ABSTRACT
Therapy clients may be impacted by child maltreatment in a variety of ways, as victims, survivors (which we address in Chapter 9), and/or perpetrators. Due to the complicated experiences of these clients, therapists may feel challenged personally and professionally in their work with them. However, therapists have an opportunity to help victims and survivors process and heal from their experiences of victimization. Likewise, therapists may be able to help perpetrators accept responsibility for their abusive behaviors and stop future abuse. Therefore, the potential impact of this therapeutic work is great. We begin this chapter by discussing general considerations for clinical work with clients impacted by child maltreatment. We then move to reviewing several theory- and research-based interventions that have been outlined in the literature, focusing on interventions for victims, family members, and perpetrators.
