A Resilience-Based Lens of Sex Work: Implications for Professional Psychologists

An analysis of recent empirical and theoretical literature in psychology investigating sex work highlights the field's focus of pathology and stigma. We offer an alternative understanding of sex work by using a resilience-based lens and apply it to three areas of research with sex work. Specifically, we critique research investigating sex work-related phenomena in psychology and related fields that focus on pathology, stigma, and psychological sequelae using a resilience-based perspective about sex work language, location and practice environment, involvement with drugs and alcohol, and trauma. Implications for future practice and scholarship in professional psychology are also discussed, to help psychologists consider strength-based and empowerment-focused approaches for work with this population.