The Heart of Sexual Trauma: Patriarchy as a Centrally Organizing Principle for Couple Therapy

Sexual trauma has a devastating wake that impacts survivors and their intimate relationships. Current couple therapy models address the effects of sexual trauma on individuals and relationships. Many of these models acknowledge the importance of addressing gender inequalities. So far, no model of couple therapy makes patriarchy central to the conceptualization of sexual trauma and treatment. This paper asserts that sexual trauma is one of the most horrific manifestations of patriarchy and therefore is most effectively treated when an understanding of patriarchy is made central to conceptualization and treatment. We propose that inviting couples into conversations about ways in which patriarchy organizes their relationship is liberating for both partners and creates space for more preferred ways of being intimate, doi: 10.1300/ J086vl9n03_02