ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses concrete guidelines, including the description of specific skills and therapeutic techniques. It explores techniques for creating the safe environment before, during, and after an initial disclosure takes place. The chapter describes general and practical guidelines and suggestions. Therapeutic techniques are described in detail for use with a broad-based consumer population. The most obvious, and perhaps most overlooked, aspect of the therapeutic environment is the physical setting. Persons who disclose painful re-collections almost universally speak of their ongoing search for safe places, safe relationships. The planned use of touch can be a significant component in the therapeutic environment. Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse have found the relationship with a therapist to be what they needed to finally disclose their abuse re-collections. Finally, a therapist who is capable of building therapeutic relationships with bearers of traumatic re-collections is one who recognizes the importance of social process.
