http://www.centralmaine.com/news/stories/020817clergy_a.shtml
| Saturday, August 17, 2002
Workshop brings abuse victims together to heal
By MICHAEL REAGAN, Staff Writer Copyright 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. |
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AUGUSTA Victims of abuse by members of the clergy began the work of recovering from their pain Friday at a gathering in the St. Paul Retreat and Conference Center. | ||||
| Clinical psychologist Kate Hudgins is part of the team leading a retreat in Augusta for victims of clergy abuse. | ||||
While many of the four women and three men participating in the three-day workshop already receive counseling, Dr. Kate Hudgins said she and a group of five other colleagues would focus on healing the emotional pain from sexual abuse.
"Trauma doesn't go away if you don't treat it," said the clinical psychologist from Virginia.
"There is hope. People can heal from sexual abuse."
Hudgins spoke from experience, since she was sexually abused by a godfather when she was a child. Author of "Experiential Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Therapeutic Spiral Model," she said the workshop emphasizes individual strengths before participants talk about their losses and how they would like to confront them, such as through role-playing.
"You can say what you need to say," she said. "You get free within yourself."
Although the workshop takes place at a Catholic retreat center, the participants are Catholic, Methodist and Jehovah's Witness.
"It's not a Catholic problem only. It's across the board," said Kathy Amsden, licensed clinical social worker from Auburn.
Amsden, who is Catholic, said she has seen some recognition of the problem of sexual abuse. She attended a Mass in Gray in which the priest said he was glad stories about sexual abuse by clergy have come out so the problem can be addressed.
"There are priests of integrity out there," Amsden said.
Scholarships for participants have come from the Catholic dioceses of Manchester, N.H., and Portland. Amsden said Voice of the Faithful, a group of Catholics concerned about the problem of abuse by the clergy, also contributed a scholarship.
The workshop fee was $350.
Along with taking away what Hudgins called the sense of isolation many victims of sexual abuse have, the model of treatment she has developed over 15 years deals with post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms include intrusive and easily triggered memories of past trauma.
"They're not crazy. This is how PTSD manifests," she said.
Mary Ann Cox, a licensed clinical social worker from Virginia, said one way churches can help prevent further abuse is to have accountability. Amsden stressed the need for a church community where no one is above another.
Hudgins had another suggestion.
"Start listening to the kids." she said.
Hudgins' Web site is
Michael Reagan 623-3811, Ext. 431
Edited by - Blondie on 18 August 2002 10:35:4