Sexual Abuse or Assault
Sexual abuse and assault is not biased towards age, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation and is defined as any form of sexual violence, including rape, child molestation, incest, and similar forms of non-consensual sexual contact. Due to the complicated nature of how sexual abuse occurs, treatment can be difficult, but necessary for healing. Goals of psychotherapy often include preventing and reducing PTSD symptoms, anxiety and depression. A qualified mental health professional can help survivors of sexual abuse transform their experiences, empowering them to reclaim themselves, regain a sense of safety and feel like they have control over their lives again.
Local Experts in Sexual Abuse or Assault
Adolescent/Teen Therapy, Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, Family Therapy
If you are in a place where you feel like no one understands the Sexual Trauma that you experienced, you are not alone. Many who have experienced Sexual Trauma feel the same way, and this is due to the fact that our society doesn't know what to do with this subject. Our society is not educated on how to support a Survivor. Because of this, often times even our family members don't know what to do.
Individual Therapy, Adolescent/Teen Therapy, Child Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy
As a survivor myself and advocate for other survivors, and as a therapist trained specifically in support and treatment for healing from sexual assault, I will help you feel whole again after experiencing the theft of a part of your being. I will take you through specific steps to help you heal your mind, body, and spirit. I am empowerment focused and driven in my methods.
Sexual abuse and assault are more openly discussed now than in the past, however there is still sometimes a stigma that comes along with it. I believe in getting help as soon as humanly possible. It is a very heavy weight to walk around this world with. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I understand what it is like to hold that secret. Feeling like nobody will understand.
I specialize in healing sexual trauma of any kind, whether looking to heal from sexual abuse encountered as a child/adolescent or sexual assault, rape, or intimate partner violence that can occur as an adult. Furthermore, I frequently work with survivors of incest who grew up in dysfunctional family systems. Although every person has different needs I often recommend EMDR for this issue.
Survivors of sexual abuse or assault, whether the abuse happened during childhood, adolescence, early adult years, during a marriage or intimate relationship, or later in life, have specific needs that can be addressed in a therapeutic relationship. Feeling safe, connecting with others on emotional and intimate levels, addressing the images and sensory triggers, can be addressed in treatment.
Sexual Abuse can occur in intimate relationships. This can be very confusing because 'How can someone who loves me, hurt me?' Often times excuses are made for this abuse and it isn't until someone reaches their tipping point that they decide No More.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often feel shame, anger, rage, and confusion. Most were perpetrated on by a loved one or someone in a position of power. If you have survived sexual abuse or rate, It\'s not your fault and healing is possible. I have specialized training to support LGBTQ survivors of sexual assault.