Course Description

Adult survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA), often diagnosed with Complex PTSD, present significant challenges in EMDR therapy. Two particularly pervasive issues are the intense feelings of disgust and a profoundly negative self-concept. This presentation examines how a negative self-concept functions as a maladaptive survival strategy, providing psychological stability through four mechanisms: reducing uncertainty, preserving attachment to perpetrators, maintaining trust in others, and sustaining a perception of a benevolent world. Meanwhile, intense disgust, difficult to process due to the avoidance it elicits, fosters internalized beliefs of being morally and physically “disgusting,” further entrenching the negative self-concept and complicating EMDR processing. In light of these dynamics, I outline essential aspects to take in account and propose key modifications to the EMDR Standard Protocol to enhance therapeutic efficacy for these clients. These adaptations target the emotional, cognitive, and physiological challenges unique to this vulnerable population, aiming to facilitate more effective processing.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to identify the Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) on psychological well-being, with special attention to the role played by disgust and entrenched negative self-concept as maladaptive survival strategies and their impact on therapy.
2. Participants will be able to describe a theoretical framework that allows understanding and assessment of severe cases of disgust and negative self-concept in CSA survivors and complex PTSD clients.
3. Participants will be able to describe special precautions and practical skills for trauma processing with complex presentations.

Presenter(s)

Arun Mansukhani, Psy.D.

Arun S. Mansukhani, Psy.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and Sexologist with specialized training in CBT, EMDR Europe Consultant and Facilitator, Level III Sensorimotor Therapy Practitioner, and University Specialist in Clinical Hypnosis. Has delivered lectures at over 30 national and international conferences, including three EMDRIA and five EMDR Europe conferences. Trainer of mental health professionals across countries such as Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Ireland, Scotland, Russia, India, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and the United States. Author of Condenados a entendernos (Penguin Group, 2023). In 2024, served as an Advisor to the European Commission Citizen Panel on Hate Crimes.