The details of sexual abuse are painful to hear and may be incomprehensible or overwhelming for the counselor. It is not only necessary but adaptive for therapists to defend themselves against this painful information. It is initially adaptive and healthy to protect oneself from being overwhelmed by the experience. Nevertheless, coping does not equal resolution, and overgeneralization of defense mechanisms becomes maladaptive over time. Clinicians must face and resolve the painful and confusing aspects of their work in order to prevent personal and professional dysfunction. Acquiring the knowledge necessary to anticipate and counter negative impacts requires careful exploration of the issues that sexual abuse work entails. This paper discusses some of the "external" risks of working with sex offenders, such as the incidence and prevalence of sexual abuse, the system's inability to protect potential victims, incidents of reoffending that may occur during treatment, and the system's failure to remove dangerous offenders from the community. "Internal" issues (the therapist's own emotions) are also explored. They include ambivalent emotions, victim or aggressor identification, power and control, examination of beliefs, sexuality, and role taking. Other issues considered are interpersonal issues and agency issues. A discussion of prevention and intervention notes the pre-employment screening, appropriate ongoing training, peer consultation and supervision, and the open sharing of issues and responsibility minimize the negative risks of working with juvenile sex offenders. It is equally important to acknowledge the individuality of each interventionist, appreciating the defenses that protect them in this work and supporting the strengths that keep them healthy. Hopelessness and powerlessness must be countered by noticing and nurturing inner strengths and appreciating the importance of small changes in individual clients. 1 table and 19 references