Cognitive restructuring in cognitive psychology for rape victim recovery

¶ … rape victims deal with the consequences of their experience, they may need assistance in areas such as communication, decision making and problem solving. The purpose of this paper will be to discuss and describe successful cognitive restructuring methods, cognitive coping styles and other effective types of therapy which help victims cope with post rape fear and anxiety symptoms, including ways to overcome the underlying fear that rape victims might continue to have after standard therapy and counseling. Since it has been found that victims who perceive within themselves a strong sense of control over present, as well as future circumstances, experience less depression and exhibit less social withdrawal than survivors with little experience of control over their environment or their future, the goal of determining the victim's long-term reaction to rape appears to be one of cognitive flexibility and openness vs. inflexibility. I believe reaching this goal is affected by a combination of the victim's resilience and the type of therapy used. Types of cognitive restructuring therapies which foster a sense of self-efficacy in patients will be examined. However, as victims of rape who have undergone cognitive therapy exhibit symptoms "associated with reductions in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and problematic . . . thoughts as well as increases in the number of realistic . . . cognitions," further research is needed to find out how an individual may utilize various parts of cognitive therapy in order to reach the goal of openness and flexibility (Sobel, 2009, 1). The paper will conclude with a suggestion that a valuable follow-up research project might be done, comparing repressed feelings which may lead to possible massive anger problems preceding self-destructive and negative behaviors.