Customer Reviews

Betrayed as Boys: Psychodynamic Treatment of Sexually Abused Men

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
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Gartner's work deconstructs sexuality in ways that a layman (like me) can understand. He then takes its components and explains how each of them is affected when a boy experiences sexual abuse. He shows us the myriad of possibilities a therapist might face in the adult who emerges from that abuse. And, bravely, he shows us the therapist as a human being who doubts, rejoices, struggles -- all while working in the (often highly charged) moment with the patient.

BETRAYED AS BOYS is an excellent, highly accessible distillation of vastly complex topic. And it's fascinating to read.

As a sexually abused male, I turned to this book for some understanding of my reactions and how I was affected by my history. I was stunned by the breadth and depth of what I read. I saw myself on page after page. This book was written for professionals but, unlike many such books, it is completely accessible to an educated layman. I have never seen the research in this area put together in one place, especially with such dexterity and balance. This is not a simple area to understand, but Gartner does it justice, explaining complicated ideas in ways that make complete sense. The book's impact is heightened by the many complex, poignant, and compassionate case histories used throughout to illustrate his points. These stories vividly bring to life the ideas Gartner is describing, making the reader grasp the full extent of how sexual abuse affects boys and men, and why it affects different males differently. Some of the stories pack an incredible emootional wallop, but then so does sexual abuse. If you aren't satisfied with the simplistic bromides of "sexual abuse lite," then this is the book for you. Bravo!

Dr. Richard Gartner has compiled an excellent text that reviews the current literature of childhood abuse, its treatment & the hope for solace for the adult survivor. This is one of the first books directed at males (another excellent book is Victims No Longer). Complete with case summaries and indepth review of issues facing male survivors in their past & present lives, this book comes with my highest recommendation.

As an experienced professional who has worked with many people with trauma histories, I can attest to the fact that Dr. Gartner's book is a significant contribution to our field. The complexities of his book would appeal to any clinician who works with sexual abuse survivors. What I also found is that while Dr. Gartner specifically speaks to the issues and dynamics of sexually abused men, there is much relavance to clinical work with sexually abused women. It is truly a MUST read for professionals who work with this population (male or female). On another level, his book is written such that a lay reader, or perhaps someone who has experienced abuse, would find it appealing as it compassionately, nonjudgmentally, and thoroughly illustrates many of his clients' experiences.

I've been on a journey to consciously understand my emotional isolation among relations with most people in general. Initially ignorance fed me lies in the pop culture that exist in todays internet social world, about my boyhood sexual abuse feelings. I sought psychotherapy and was helped and healed emotionally but the experience lacked the global cognitive explaination of what had happened to me. Dr. Gartner bravely describes what historically culturally is denied yet today, non-contact sexual abuse exists yet today. Socially and in religion it is excused within the context of a mother parenting by using physical punishment of her son. That instance is sheilded from any perception or intention of sexual harm to the child. His own professional example of feeling misbilieved by his professional peers during a conference and the shock and isolation of feeling betrayed and ignored was an excellent comparison to the male victims sense of isolation at the prospect that no adult will believe he's been sexually abused from incidences of childhood corporal punishment experiences by a mother. If your looking for a psychological literature source to feel acknowledged and understood about your sexual abuse feelings and psychological symptoms with a clear explaination of psychosexual abuse in non-contact form about your male child sexual abuse experiences comming from a female caregiver which our culture excuses for various reasons when it occures in a mother parent to child son punishment context you will find an understanding confidant in this book!

someone donated this book to me, or I fear it would have escaped my sight. Im surprised they let it through!
Read the stuff on hypnosis!

I cant believe this guy has got it down!

This text is difficult. It seems Gartner over intellectualizes the subject. Does he have his onw clear ideas about the subject? His on going references to other studies makes it seem as if he himself has no creative insight to contribute. The K.I.S.S. princaple should apply if he is truely knolagable and comfortable with the information he is trying to present. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID.