Date of Conferral

4-30-2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Reba Glidewell

Abstract

A mental health therapist is a licensed professional who is trained to identify any barriers or regression during the recovery process with their female patients’ psychological experiences from sexual violent trauma (SVT) perpetrated by a degree of familiar offenders. In this study, the therapists’ perceptions identified the impact of the SVT committed by a familiar offender toward the female victim’s recovery process. The theoretical foundation included betrayal trauma theory, moral injury, and victimology. The research question addressed how therapists described the psychological recovery of female patients who experienced sexual violence by a familiar offender. The research design was data collection through qualitative interviews in compliance with HIPAA and 10 licensed therapists with experience in the treatment of sexual violence describing diagnoses, treatments, and recovery process. The NVivo computer software was used to analyze, transcribe, code, and collaborate the collected data from the semistructured interviews in connection with the interview questions. The study lead to positive social change by decreasing the revictimization and filling a portion of the gap in understanding effects societal assumptions have upon the recovery process of sexual violence victims, especially when perpetrated by an offender. The results reported recovery was shaped by relational context, with familiar-offender SVT linked to greater self-blame, moral injury, betrayal, and disrupted trust. Therapists described recovery as a complex, non-linear process influenced by survivors’ emotional readiness, relational dynamics, and access to TIC. Therapists and first responders could benefit from the findings to promote new strategies to support the recovery process.

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