Betrayed as Boys: Psychodynamic Treatment of Sexually Abused Men

By: Richard B. Gartner, Ph.D.

Review by Stephen L. Braveman, LMFT,  DST

(This review originally appeared in Treating Abuse Today: Trauma, Treatment and Trends, Vol 9 No 2)

Are you a therapist working with male victims/survivors of sexual abuse? Are you interested in working with this client population? Do you want to know more about this topic as a result of curiosity and/or out of your own, or some one else's, emotional need and pain? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then you will find much value in reading Betrayed as Boys: Psychodynamic Treatment of Sexually Abused Men by Richard B. Gartner, Ph.D.

While growing, the acceptance that males can be, and frequently are, victims/survivors of sexual abuse, and the volume of outstanding research and discourse written on this topic, remains extremely small and limited. Dr. Gartner's book greatly helps fill part of this void.

The title itself reflects the refreshing and thoughtful personal approach to this issue that runs throughout this book. Gartner has dropped some of the common terms, as he states: "I have chosen wherever possible to use the term 'sexually abused man' rather than the words 'victim' or 'survivor' as I discuss this population. I consider both of these to be overused and limiting terms that diminish the uniqueness of the individual with a sexual abuse history."

Betrayed as Boys begins with a moving introduction that sets the tone of a book written with much personal involvement. Gartner describes how he got involved in treating sexually abused men and the many fine people that assisted him in the process. He gives a wonderful disclaimer that his work is based upon a traditional Psychodynamic approach , as he is trained as both a family therapist and an interpersonal psychoanalyst, and is highly cognizant to, and respectful of, the fact that there are many other sound theoretical approaches to successfully treating this population. In fact, throughout the text he humbly recognizes differences of opinion he has with other highly regarded therapeutic leaders in this field.

A magnificent overview of current available literature, and most common definitions and terms, appears early in the text. This allows even the uninitiated a basic understanding which allows ready comprehension of what is to follow.

Gartner covers all the bases. He includes what he considers to be the essentials of history, theory and facts about the known causes of the various types of sexual abuse, the resulting symptomology and possible courses of treatment. This vast knowledge base is interwoven with touching actual case vignettes which helps bring this emotionally charged topic to life.

The lay person will find this book to be more than enough in his/her quest to understand the pain and some possible journeys toward healing many sexually abused men go through when they seek and receive an appropriate form of professional psychotherapy treatment. This holds true regardless of whether the reader is a victim/survivor or not. The therapist just beginning this challenging and rewarding work will extract a wonderful overview and feel for this work that usually can only come from years of experience doing such work; a true foundation that can lead toward a successful practice working with this population. The therapist well seasoned in this work will discover a eloquent review of the limited text already available on this topic and, perhaps, confirmation that her/his work is on the right track as he/she treats such previously neglected and deserving clients. Regardless of where one finds them self on this continuum, he/she will rejoice in the easy reading and personal touch that runs through this fine new book. A must for those working with sexually abused men, Betrayed as Boys receives my highest recommendation!