Hearing voices, sexual abuse and service system responses

Abstract

Research indicates that routine effective screening for sexual abuse by mental health professionals is infrequent, and when experiences of sexual abuse are disclosed to mental health professionals it is unclear whether these disclosures are meaningfully incorporated into professional formulations and treatment plans. Screening rates and inclusion of trauma details on formulations and treatment plans appear to be less common amongst consumers with psychotic diagnoses. The aim of this study was to further investigate the work practices of mental health professionals who engage with consumers who hear voices and have experienced sexual abuse. The results indicate over half of respondents were n..