Case Example 2

Abstract

While some disclosures of sexual assault are expected, such as when a client is presenting for services to address problems resulting from sexual assault, other disclosures are not expected. Therefore, clinicians must be prepared for when these disclosures do occur. In this chapter, two case examples are presented—one in which an unanticipated disclosure occurs during an intake evaluation and one in which an unanticipated disclosure occurs during the course of therapy. The authors provide recommendations on how to handle these disclosures, including how to assess whether further discussion of the sexual assault is necessary and how to handle possible disruptions to the therapy plan when disclosures occur.