Narratives from therapists regarding the process of psychotherapeutic change in children and adolescents who have been victims of sexual abuse / Narrativas de terapeutas sobre el proceso de cambio psicoterapéutico en niños,niñas y adolescentes que han sido víctimas de agresiones sexuales

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand how psychotherapists perceive the process of change in psychotherapy in children and/or adolescents who have been victims of sexual abuse and the influence therapeutic alliance has on this treatment. A qualitative research study was carried out through 24 in-depth interviews with psychologists, analysed from a narrative analysis framework. The results of this study highlight that the change in psychotherapy is gradual and progressive and develops in different stages: an initial one of connection with the therapeutic space, an intermediate stage of giving new meanings to their abusive experience and a final stage consolidating the changes. In each of these stages, the therapeutic alliance influences in different ways; it is essential in the process of psychotherapeutic change. The implications of these findings for child and adolescent clinical work are stressed by highlighting therapists’ narratives.