Dancing with demons: working with vowed religious clergy who are also sex offenders

Abstract

This article discusses the case of a male vowed religious clergy, who was also in residential treatment for sexual misconduct and interpersonal difficulties. Importantly, this client also had a childhood history of sexual trauma. The case, difficult and complex in its own right, posed unique clinical challenges. The first author and therapist, a Catholic, feminist, woman often works with child trauma clients. Thus, the experiences of transference and countertransference were particularly important therapeutic considerations working with this client. Themes of power, sex, shame, guilt, and blame needed to be explored and processed in depth from the client’s and therapist’s perspectives both during session and supervision. Concurrent issues include personality disorders, physical disability, and psychosexual disorders. This client was referred by their religious institution and took part in a mandated fourteen to twenty-week residential programme. Therapeutic modalities include trauma-informed, attachment-oriented, and psychodynamic individual and grouporiented psychotherapy.