Abstract
Victims of rape routinely are acknowledged to need counseling but not psychotherapy; if psychotherapy is provided, the major focus is on preexisting psychopathology. The author examines these assumptions and presents a different formulation based solely on an in-depth examination of the many levels of the trauma. Case material reveals the typical symptoms, conflicts, and defenses found in rape victims. The author makes recommendations for psychotherapeutic technique, especially in regard to difficulties in forming a therapeutic alliance.

This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit: