Treating sexual abuse trauma with dually diagnosed women.

Abstract

Women who are diagnosed with a major mental illness, who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, and who have been episodically homeless are also likely to have been the victims of sexual or physical abuse. Treatment for these women needs to incorporate an active program of trauma recovery. A program of trauma-based treatment that includes supportive group therapy, cognitive reframing, and social skills training is discussed along with clinical examples.