The competent nurse/therapist treats shame of the adult survivor
of childhood sexual abuse. Shame must be identified, validated, and
treated. Kaufman's Developmental Theory of Shame and Identity is
easily applied to post-sexual-abuse phenomenon. Treatment principles
can be incorporated in both individual and group
therapy. Nurse/therapists are encouraged to further explore the role
of shame in the psychopathology of the adult survivor of childhood
sexual abuse.