VICTIM SUPPORT:Debriefing, Desensitization, Eidetic Therapy, Narrative Therapy

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Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

Lesson 40

VICTIM SUPPORT

Objectives

To introduce with different ranges of supportive therapies

To acquaint with the use of Eidetic therapy for victim support

To know about the different use of narrative therapy

Supportive Therapies

Debriefing

Another technique used to provide support to victims is debriefing or psychological debriefing that is

semi-structured conversation with an individual who has experienced a stressful or traumatic event. In

most cases, the purpose of debriefing is to reduce any possibility of psychological harm by informing

people about their experience or allowing them to talk about it.

Desensitization

It is human psychology that avoidance of situation wires in persistence of problem, desensitization is a

process for reducing the harmful psychological effects of traumas. It also occurs when an emotional

response is repeatedly evoked in situations in which the psychological problems that is associated with

the traumatic event of crime proves irrelevant or unnecessary.

Eidetic Therapy

Eidetic Image Therapy is an innovative approach to psychotherapy that uses a special type of mental

image called eidetic to get problem areas quickly and generate insight and growth.

The eidetic is a powerful personal image that's seen in the mind like a movie or film strip. According to

Dr. Ahsan Akhtar we all have the ability of eidetic imagery. Every image has some bodily energy

linked. It contains a detailed record of all important life experiences and is neurologically stored in the

brain for future reference. When recalled, the eidetic recreates a vivid experience of events and conflicts

with all of the basic elements intact: the visual picture of the event, the physical and emotional feelings

associated with it and the meaning or significance it contains.

Through a step by step process, Eidetic Therapy enables you to see significant life experiences from

different points of view, examine them from an enhanced perspective, and allow the solutions that

resolve longstanding problems to become clear.

Imagery is an important tool in the Dr. Akhtar Ahsan's rapportire of eidetic therapy. So how do we

come to know that which image is causing the problem. This problem is solved by the use of eidetic

parent test, as most of childhood traumas create problems for us. But when we use this therapy for

victim support, revisit of the traumatic event that is bothering the client is not a difficult at all. But to

revisit the trauma is not appropriate in first few sessions so most of the time in victim support this is

avoided rather than client is asked to revisit the positive events from childhood.

Kinesthetic imagery

Kinesthetic imagery is another important dimension of eidetic therapy, imagery of touch and feeling in

terms of temperature (chill or hot imagery). This is highly effective in forensic settings as victim is not

required to visualize the trauma rather has to focus on the physical sensations in terms of temperature

during that traumatic experience ( were you feeling hot or cold?). and Dr. Akkhtar Ahsan reports that

people report in very deep surface.

So now the question is what intervention technique is adopted? Therapist helps in changing the

temperature of that kinesthetic image. Like therapist would ask client to close eyes and focus on the

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Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

temperature and then try to reverse the polarity. If a client reports he was feeling very cold almost fozen

while robber placed his gun on my forehead. Therapist might ask him imagine that you are sitting in

front of heater and room is becoming warm and comfortable. Eidetic therapy is found to be very

effective and creative therapy.

Psychodynamic Therapy

We have discussed this in detail already in whish we do not only make interpretation but also hold the

victim in a very safe environment.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Clients wrong believe are challenged in a very empathetic way by making positive compliments and

praise. Like usually victim has the wrong believe of why me? Therapist challenge such believes and

inquires about evidences but with great care and tactics. They are told that they are not alone even they

are better than many other victims who have suffered even bitter traumas.

Narrative Therapy

We have talked much about this therapy in the context of criminals or those who have constant problem

with law or violent people with negative developed stories but in victim support we have people who

generally have positive stories but a specific incident of crime have changed their perception. Some

time victim has a very positive and creative life before that particular trauma but then developed PTSD.

And start having perceptions what ever I do bad things happen at the end. Narrative therapist would sit

down with him/her and firstly try to understand the negative story concocted. Story that narrates success

in beginning and then disaster, achievement in start and then adversity.

While working with offenders narrative therapist encounters the state where his clients has nothing

positive in life so help them to re-author their scripts but in victim support therapy re-sequence the

successes in the beginning and disaster at the end into hardship in the start and accomplishments

at the end, With the help of complements and questions.

Self-Esteem problems

Victims of more hideous crimes like rape e.t.c, experience the immense lack in self worth/self

evaluation and self esteem.

Male victims and female victims differ in problems like if a man is raped his "manhood" is badly

effected by this trauma so self esteem squash badly.

Female victims can encounter adverse family reactions if married husband can divorce and if unmarried

can receive obscurity in getting married and even if get married can have ambivalent feelings with her

for through out the life.

Whether victims of violence or rape self esteem boosting therapies are essential elements

Self-Esteem & Therapy

How to boost self-esteem?

In identity national, social, cultural, familial and self identity is involved, like ethnic identities

Lahori or Peshawiri. But self esteem comes through achievements.

· Fulfillment comes through achievement

· Achievement comes through action

· Action comes from motivation

Self esteem lowers in response to hideous crimes and humiliation involved

Skills training and achievement based programs can help boost self-esteem.

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Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

-Activities are designed with great care to help victim and when client achieves success in

doing those activities, boost in self esteem is a result.

-Questions are asked to provide an opportunity of catharsis

-Compliments are used for encouragements.

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