Complex Clients, Complex Roles

Therapeutic work with survivors of the sex industry is quite demanding for several reasons:

• Survivors put the therapist in hot personal contact with realities few people care to know about.
• Survivors have problems across multiple areas of functioning. Established treatment programs seldom are prepared to work with more than "dual diagnoses."
• Available treatment information has been largely adapted from other kinds of trauma, such as warfare, domestic violence, or torture.

The therapist's role often is quite complex, they must try to protect the client, the client's children, and the larger community. Often they are responsible not only to their employer, but also to courts, parole/probation authorities, the juvenile court supervising a client's children and possibly many others.

The following information is offered to those who choose to work with this population. We ask that all of our materials used in your recovery work with survivors be passed along to clients for them to see. First, ask if it is difficult for them to read. If they answer yes, be prepared to read to them outloud. Ask that they read the materials carefully and take their time. Advise them to make a mark by every area that is relevant to their lives, and that they would like to talk about with you.

Representatives from the Baldwin Foundation are available for staff trainings, as well as for consultation on individual cases. We operate on a sliding fee scale. For more information please email us at contact@prostitutionrecovery.org.