Supervision is a prerequisite for all counsellors, and for most psychotherapists, yet it has been assumed that any experienced counsellor or therapist could become a supervisor without any special expertise. But the experience of those in supervision is sometimes of inadequate or even unhelpful work by their supervisors.

This text explores key areas of working with adult survivors of childhood abuse that - in the author's experience as a practitioner, trainer and supervisor - are frequent concerns of those working in this field. Areas covered include: an exploration of theoretical approaches and their relevance; definitions of abuse; ethical issues and questions; the impact of abuse on the child and on the adult survivor; and the effects of working in this field on the worker and how to respond to these. Some of the specific areas covered relate to self harm, the recovery of memories, dissociative responses,...