Even From A Broken Web: Brief, Respectful Solution-Oriented Therapy for Sexual Abuse and Trauma

by Bob Bertolino Ph. D., Bill O'Hanlon

In this book, Bill O’Hanlon, a co-developer of solution-oriented therapy, and Bob Bertolino, provide clinicians with forward-looking, respectful therapy that taps into and honors people’s inherent learning abilities. Their treatment model is a major departure from most addressing sexual abuse victims: it is less traumatic, less painful, and less disruptive to people’s lives.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Counselling

210 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

Reviews

[Shana · Rating 2 out of 5]

In re-reading this short text, I've found that I appreciate how the authors break down their techniques and how they advocate for a way of working with trauma (in this case sexual abuse/assault) without insisting that survivors must re-experience the trauma over and over in order to ultimately heal. It's useful to have a variety of tools in one's therapeutic toolbox, and their approach may be one among many that appeals to certain clients. But that's the thing: I'm not convinced that their solution-oriented approach is for every survivor and I don't think it's useful to act as if it could replace every other kind of therapy in responding to the needs of those who have survived sexual abuse/assault.

[eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of useful nuggets in it, but I wish it would have been more specific. Using specific interventions, or more in-depth case examples. I think if it had narrowed down the topic to just sexual abuse it would have been better, or if it had broadened it to trauma in general. Sometimes focusing on sexual abuse and sometimes not seemed to make it more scattered, especially because sexual abuse is such a specific topic, that the principles for treating it sometimes take more special focus as opposed to other abuse or trauma. Instead this book markets as a resource for sexual abuse therapy, but the contents go over many topic from eating disorders, to physical abuse, to self harm, etc.

I did glean a lot of practical, solution-oriented advice from this book, but I’m not sure if it’s something I would recommend if you’re specifically looking for resources to help this recovering from sexual abuse.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is amazing for anyone who has survived trauma or is an ally to a trauma survivor. I met someone recently who told me that they read "The Art of Happiness" once a year because they feel that it has such important things to say about how to live well. I feel that way about this book.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly helpful and certainly empowering approach to dealing with the delicate issue of sexual trauma in therapy with a focus on minimizing the potential danger and re-traumatization in the discussion.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offers great options for solution-oriented therapists on dealing with clients presenting with trauma. I have already been able to use many of the suggestions in treatment of clients.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided a great deal of information that I believe would be helpful for a new clinician.