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A nonrandom, purposive sample of MAPs ( n = 293, 154 completed all questions) was recruited via an online survey. Results show that 75% of participants did seek formal help from a professional; however, just less than half of them found the experience to be helpful. Characteristics of helpful therapeutic encounters included nonjudgmental attitudes, knowledge about minor attraction, and viewing clients in a person-centered and holistic way. Barriers to help seeking included uncertainty about confidentiality, fear of negative reaction or judgment, difficulties finding a therapist knowledgeable about MAPs, and financial constraints. Understanding or reducing attraction to minors were common treatment goals, but participants also prioritized addressing general mental health and well-being related to depression, anxiety, loneliness, and low self-esteem. Implications for effective and ethical counseling and preventive interventions for MAPs are discussed.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/1079063218797713","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2018,11,2]],"date-time":"2018-11-02T05:58:31Z","timestamp":1541138311000},"page":"991-1013","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":94,"title":["Preventing Sexual Abuse: Perspectives of Minor-Attracted Persons About Seeking Help"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"31","author":[{"given":"Jill S.","family":"Levenson","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Barry University, Miami Shores, FL, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Melissa D.","family":"Grady","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2018,9,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"bibr1-1079063218797713","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1743-6109.2009.01597.x"},{"key":"bibr2-1079063218797713","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.books.9780890425596"},{"key":"bibr3-1079063218797713","unstructured":"American Psychological Association. 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Retrieved from http:\/\/www.b4uact.org\/know-the-facts\/faq\/"},{"key":"bibr9-1079063218797713","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/abn0000212"},{"key":"bibr10-1079063218797713","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-28424-8_19"},{"key":"bibr11-1079063218797713","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/14789940903174188"},{"key":"bibr12-1079063218797713","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jsm.12785"},{"key":"bibr13-1079063218797713","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chiabu.2015.12.009"},{"key":"bibr14-1079063218797713","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chiabu.2003.09.008"},{"issue":"2","key":"bibr15-1079063218797713","volume":"28","author":"Buckman C.","year":"2016","journal-title":"ATSA Forum Newsletter"},{"key":"bibr16-1079063218797713","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11930-016-0076-z"},{"key":"bibr17-1079063218797713","unstructured":"Clark-Flory T. (2016). 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