Does psychotherapy help young children who have had issues with sexual abuse?

Yes: Psychotherapy, used and applied correctly, can be very beneficial. It is very important to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable.

Psychotherapy: Yes. Many children traumatized by sexual abuse have benefitted significantly by play and verbal psychotherapies.

Choose carefully: The behavioral consequences of sexual abuse may be devastating and a skilled therapist can help. But be careful. Especially when there is a question as to whether sexual abuse has occurred, some "therapists" see their first task to be getting the child to make statements for use by the prosecutor. This is an abuse which hopefully you will be able to avoid. Best wishes.

YES: One wants a child psychiatrist who is competent with play therapy ; other therapies appropriate to children. The focus should be the child. The perpetrators and the law are secondary.

Yes: Psychotherapy can certainly be done with children who have been traumatized. Find a reputable psychotherapist who deals with childhood trauma issues, and make an appointment. Also consider contacting your state licensing boards, and find out if they have any recommendations for clinics who deal with this sort of thing nearby.

Yes it is extremely : helpful and important to help reduce the negative impact of sexual abuse on a child. Much of the therapy is carried out using play with toys, dolls and puppets to help the child express their feelings of anger, guilt and shame associated with the abuse. Find a licensed child psychologist with expertise in trauma work.

Play therapy: Play therapy is utilized with children who can communicate traumatic effects such as child abuse in a safe and comfortable way as well as recover. Early intervention is quite important for recovery and healing and preventative for long-term effects of depression including, suicide.