Resolving incest experiences through inpatient group therapy

1. Yalom's "curative factors" provide a helpful "here and now" model for inpatient group therapy with incest survivors. 2. Psychiatric nurses are in an excellent position to identify female patients who have been sexually abused and to establish and conduct therapy groups for these women. 3. Preparation of women for the group by the therapist is an essential prerequisite for successful integration into the group. 4. During hospitalization, some of the women may experience brief psychotic episodes, suicidal ideation, self-mutilation, and increased depression, which may preclude group attendance for brief periods. However, these experiences will provide ongoing opportunities for exploration of group feelings of anger, helplessness, despair, and alienation.