Abstract
M.A.
This body of work examines the effects of child abuse, and then discusses the use of
ego state therapy as a model for the treatment of child abuse. It is found that the
predominant characteristic of children who experience abuse is a tendency to
dissociate, creating impermeable and dangerous boundaries between different aspects
of their personalities. An effective therapeutic process must address both cause and
effect, and must therefore access these ego states, not only to determine the reason for
their presence but also in order to change the relationships between the different
states. This must be achieved for the survivor to become a healthy and well-adjusted
adult. A detailed discussion of ego state theory is included, and ego-state therapy is
then discussed within the therapeutic setting. This is done using an actual case study
involving a thirteen-year-old survivor of physical child abuse and discusses the use of
ego state therapy in an attempt to restore homeostasis. The clinical experiences of the
therapist and client are described, and they lend support for the use of ego-state
therapy in the treatment of child abuse. The complex array of emotional, behavioural
and psychological problems presenting as a result of abuse, together with the lack of
formal intervention strategies in treating these cases, highlighted the need and also
provided the impetus for this project.
Dr. H. Rudnick