How to Create a Treatment Plan for Sexual Abuse (With Example)

Sexual violence is a serious concern within the U.S., affecting over 423,000 individuals each year, according to RAINN. Over half of those impacted by sexual violence are between the ages of 18 and 34, though rates among younger populations are high. There is a significant correlation between sexual abuse and assault and the onset of mental health disorders. In this resource, I show you how to create a treatment plan for sexual abuse, with an example you can use as a reference.

Research has indicated that some of the most common mental health disorders stemming from sexual abuse include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and sleep disorders. There is also an increased risk of suicide attempts.

Long-term effects of sexual abuse and assault can be seen in various areas of a survivor’s life, including work, school, and within their relationships. They may struggle to express their thoughts and emotions, build healthy relationships, and form secure attachments.

Trauma-informed care can provide a safe and confidential environment for survivors to process their experiences at a pace that is comfortable for them. I have found that this is a key component in working with survivors, as one of the most essential steps in treatment is developing a strong therapeutic relationship. This can be a challenging step to navigate, as each client is shaped by their unique experiences, some of which you may be unaware of. Effective treatment can help decrease emotional and psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and dissociative symptoms.

I have incorporated trauma-informed care into both inpatient and outpatient settings, tailoring treatment plans to each client and the clinical setting we were in. While I gravitated towards using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), other effective treatments for trauma include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). 

Setting Goals and Objectives With Clients in Your Treatment Plan for Sexual Abuse

Before developing a treatment plan for sexual abuse survivors, I take time to read through the materials I have gathered thus far. This can include referral forms, intake screeners or self-report measures, psychiatric evaluations, and biopsychosocial assessments. Other factors to consider include their age, development, and coping skills.

For clients who do not appear to have a strong background in coping, I would focus on helping them develop distress tolerance and emotion regulation skills. This can help clients cope with the emotional reactions that arise during treatment and during everyday life. Additionally, I ensure that we have developed a therapeutic relationship that provides my clients with a sense of safety and trust.

As I develop my treatment plans for sexual abuse, I brainstorm resources that would enhance sessions. This can include therapeutic worksheets available with TherapyByPro. TherapyByPro is a reliable professional resource that offers a range of tools I incorporate into my sessions, including worksheets, customizable treatment plans, and note templates. Examples of worksheets that I would consider for a treatment plan for sexual abuse include:

What to Include in a Treatment Plan for Sexual Abuse + Example

We will now begin focusing on how to customize a TherapyByPro Treatment Plan for a client with a history of sexual abuse. We will follow a hypothetical case for a woman named Jane. Continue reading for more.

Examples for Jane:

Jane is a 19-year-old female who sought treatment after persistent symptoms stemming from a sexual assault. Her intake paperwork indicated that she is experiencing intrusive memories, avoidance symptoms, and a mild startle response. She stated that she has had sleep disturbances, specifically challenges falling asleep at night. This has led to daytime tiredness and fatigue. She noted that she does have more anxiety than she did before the assault.

Jane indicated that her symptoms have caused some disruption to her daily functioning, more specifically, her school performance. She’s noticed changes in her concentration and that it takes her longer to complete her assignments than before. She still spends time with friends and engages in hobbies, though she avoids locations that are related to her assault. She noted that her friends and family have been supportive, and that she feels safe living with her roommates.

Jane denied having a history of mental health concerns before her assault and denied a history of mental health treatment. She denied current risk for self-harm and suicidal ideation. She appears motivated for treatment and is open to attending weekly individual therapy sessions.

Agencies Involved and Plans for Care Coordination

This section of the treatment plan is where you would note other treatment providers involved in her treatment. For this case, Jane does not have a history of mental health treatment. It may be helpful to have a conversation with her Primary Care Physician because her symptoms stem from a sexual assault.

Example for Jane:

Care Coordinating: Primary Care Physician, Dr.Smith 123-4567

Clinical Diagnoses

Jane’s current symptoms align with DSM-5 criteria for PTSD, mild. Relevant symptoms include hypervigilance, intrusive memories, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and distress when reminded of her assault. Her symptoms have caused mild distress, but have not severely impacted her daily life, as she can maintain her responsibilities. She is still engaging in social activities and has kept her independence since the assault.

Example for Jane:

Clinical Diagnosis: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mild   F43.10

Current Medications and Responses

Because she has no history of mental health treatment and is not taking medications at this time, this section is not relevant to our current case. If she begins taking medications to manage her symptoms, you could adjust her treatment plan accordingly.

Example for Jane:

Current Medications: None

Presenting Problem and Related Symptoms

I use the presenting problems section of my treatment plans as my case conceptualization. This section is helpful to review before sessions as a reminder of symptoms or stressors to check in on. This section should provide clear evidence of the importance of the goals and objectives noted in the next section.

Example for Jane:

Jane is a 19-year-old female who presented for outpatient care because of continued trauma-related symptoms stemming from a sexual assault. She indicated that she has been struggling with intrusive memories, avoidance of trauma-related cues, anxiety, and a mild exaggerated startle response. She reports sleep disturbances, specifically difficulty initiating sleep, which has affected her energy levels and caused daytime fatigue.

Jane’s symptoms have caused mild impairment, as seen in her academic performance. She noted that the time needed to complete her assignments has increased and that she has been struggling to concentrate. Despite these challenges, she has been able to maintain her relationships and engage in personal interests. She does avoid locations tied to her assault.

Jane reported having a strong support system comprised of family and friends. She does not have a history of mental health concerns or treatment before her sexual assault. She appears motivated for treatment and agreeable to weekly sessions. 

Goals and Objectives

This is the section of treatment plans where I typically spend the most time. The goals must be realistic, measurable, and align with the client’s goals. I have found that creating treatment plans, goals, and objectives with clients in session enhances the therapeutic relationship by highlighting a collaborative approach to treatment. As treatment progresses, this section is updated in my treatment plan reviews.

Example for Jane:

Goal 1: Improve Emotion Regulation

• Objective 1: Identify maladaptive trauma-related thoughts
• Objective 2: Utilize cognitive restructuring techniques to challenge and reframe unhelpful thoughts
• Objective 3: Use emotion identification and labeling to improve awareness

Goal 2: Reduce Intrusive Symptoms and Emotional Distress

• Objective 1: Identify and describe triggers and intrusive thoughts in session
• Objective 2: Utilize grounding and relaxing skills to cope with psychological distress
• Objective 3: Self-report use of coping skills outside of session, using journaling to keep track

Goal 3:Improve Sleep

• Objective 1: Learn about the connection between trauma, anxiety, and sleep
• Objective 2: Implement healthy behaviors promoting a good sleep hygiene routine
• Objective 3: Apply coping skills for nighttime anxiety and distress that impacts sleep

Specific Interventions to Be Used

This section of your treatment plan can serve as a helpful reminder of specific interventions or strategies you can use to help your client achieve their goals. This can be updated during treatment plan reviews to reflect their progress.

Example for Jane:

Intervention: Thought monitoring and restructuring

Jane will guide the client in identifying negative thought patterns and restructuring them into more balanced perspectives.

Responsible Person: Jane

Intervention: Psychoeducation on sleep hygiene

The counselor will provide the client with education on effective sleep hygiene practices to improve sleep quality.

Responsible Person: Counselor

Intervention: Coping skills training

The counselor will teach the client practical coping skills to manage stress and challenging emotions.

Responsible Person: Counselor

Intervention: Incorporate relaxation techniques

Jane will lead the client in practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, to reduce anxiety.

Responsible Person: Jane

Family Involvement

In some cases, family involvement can be helpful. For this case, it does not appear relevant at this time.

Example for Jane:

Family Involvement: None at this time

Additional Services and Interventions

Additional services enhance the effects of traditional psychotherapy. While it appears that Jane is only receptive to individual therapy at this time, I would revisit the idea of additional services once she feels more comfortable in treatment. Examples that I would review include a trauma-informed group, academic support services, and a psychiatric evaluation if her psychological distress continues or worsens.

Example for Jane:

Additional Services: None at this time

Estimation for Completion 

Because Jane’s symptoms appear mild, she would likely benefit from weekly sessions for about 12 weeks. TF-CBT is a time-limited approach that is not intended to be used for long-term treatment. Additionally, Jane has strong protective factors and social supports, which will help her meet her treatment goals.

Aftercare Plans

Here, I include recommendations for continued support in the event of premature discharge. There are several reasons clients terminate before their goals are met, including scheduling conflicts, reduced distress, and financial concerns. Having this section complete allows me to provide personalized recommendations for continued mental health support.

Example for Jane:

Aftercare Plans: Follow up with Primary Care Physician, Utilize emergency services for severe mental health distress, including 988 hotline

Final Thoughts On Creating a Treatment Plan for Sexual Abuse

Many variations can occur with treatment plans for sexual abuse. Key components to be mindful of include safety and stabilization, and ensuring that your client has practical coping skills to manage triggers, automatic thoughts, depression, and anxiety. Psychoeducation is a common component of treatment and can normalize their symptoms, reduce shame, and increase insight.

To learn more about working with sexual assault survivors, we encourage you to explore continuing education and training opportunities in your niche. With the prevalence of sexual assault, clinicians must have the skillset to assess for related mental health concerns and to incorporate trauma-informed care.

Resources:

• Chen LP, Murad MH, Paras ML, Colbenson KM, Sattler AL, Goranson EN, Elamin MB, Seime RJ, Shinozaki G, Prokop LJ, Zirakzadeh A. Sexual abuse and lifetime diagnosis of psychiatric disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2010 Jul;85(7):618-29. doi: 10.4065/mcp.2009.0583. Epub 2010 May 10. PMID: 20458101; PMCID: PMC2894717.
• RAINN. (n.d.). Facts & statistics: The scope of the problem. RAINN. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from