Indonesian psychologists’ sensemaking and reported intervention practices in working with women survivors of sexual assault with PTSD symptoms

Background Sexual assault is a significant public health and human rights concern in Indonesia and is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among women survivors. Limited evidence exists on how Indonesian psychologists understand, organise, and adapt psychological interventions for these survivors within complex sociocultural, legal, and institutional contexts. This study explored Indonesian psychologists’ sensemaking and reported intervention practices when working with women survivors of sexual assault who present with PTSD symptoms. Method Twenty-one licensed psychologists participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The study focused on how interventions were conceptualized, adapted, and delivered in routine practice, including considerations of cultural, familial, legal, and service-system constraints. Results Psychologists reported using flexible, modular approaches drawing on CBT-oriented, somatic, humanistic, psychodynamic, problem-solving, and strength-based strategies. Intervention planning emphasized safety, stabilization, therapeutic alliance, and culturally sensitive adaptations, including language, metaphors, family involvement, and religious framing. Clinicians adjusted pacing, session structure, and between-session tasks based on client readiness, stigma, family dynamics, and systemic constraints. Four overarching themes emerged: (1) relationally grounded trauma care, (2) modular and adaptive intervention design, (3) navigation of service and legal constraints, and (4) continuous cultural attunement. Conclusions Indonesian psychologists provide trauma-informed care that is relational, adaptive, and culturally situated. These findings may inform training and supervision for psychology trainees and early-career clinicians, while future research should examine survivor perspectives and evaluate intervention outcomes.