Couple Therapy with Adult Survivors of Child Abuse: Gender, Power, and Trust

Abstract

In this chapter we present the relational trust theory, which we are developing to address the particular relational stresses that affect couples in which one or both partners experienced abuse in childhood.. We have found that not all adult survivors suffer relational distress. Nonetheless, it is important to assess for the impact of childhood maltreatment, since it is common and its effects can range along a continuum of 'a remote, almost irrelevant event for some survivors and a central, continually potent experience for others'. We illustrate the theoretical constructs of relational trust theory through the use of case examples. From our experience, we have learned that when working with adult-survivor couples, clinicians can be challenged to recognize and attend to the intermingling influences of gendered power dynamics between partners and the emotional power responses of the adult survivor evoked by power imbalances in couple interactions. Viewing gendered power imbalances in couple interactions as triggering distrustful emotional responses from the adult survivor, which is a key aspect of relational trust theory, we work to help the couple engage in the emotionally and relationally safe interactions of a trusting 'we' approach. The mutuality processes in SERT's Circle of Care can provide an excellent guide for fostering relational connection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)