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The case against the routine provision of psychotherapy to children/adolescents labeled “sexually abused”

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Abstract

Whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, children labeled sexually abused are routinely offered treatment at considerable financial cost. One result of this is that mental health professionals are being charged with exploiting the problem of child sexual abuse (CSA). Is the routine provision of psychotherapy for children and adolescents labeled sexually abused warranted? In this paper, it is argued that the evidence indicates it is not warranted. Further, its provision is not in the best interests of either the children or mental health professionals. A number of recommendations are given which follow from the evidence.

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  1. School of Social Work, Ohio University, 45701, Athens, OH

    Thomas Oellerich

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Oellerich, T. The case against the routine provision of psychotherapy to children/adolescents labeled “sexually abused”. Sex Cult 6, 3–24 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-002-1001-3

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