Sexual Abuse Counseling & Healing
“The hardest thing to ever do is to reveal the naked soul to the world. However, in doing so brings healing, growth, strength, and powerful inspiration!” ― H.E. Olsen,
Have you or someone you know been affected by sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse may typically involve physical contact, touching, which includes masturbation, fondling, molesting, oral sex or intercourse, anal or vaginal penetration with objects.
Non-touching sexual abuse, including obscene language, exposure to pornography, or photographic images of children posed in a sexual nature.
Sexual abusers are usually not strangers, a shocking and frightening fact to many.
Sexual abuse is committed by those who are part of the victim’s immediate “circle of trust” such as family or friends.
Sexual abusers can be anyone in a position of power, authority, or trust: peers, clergy, doctors, babysitters, teachers, neighbors, fathers, mothers, grandparents, uncles, cousins, stepfathers, or siblings.
If you’ve suffered sexual abuse you might be experiencing any of these:
- Low self-esteem, difficulty staying with your emotions, feeling dis connected from your feelings, difficulty being ‘present in your body, issues with intimacy & sexuality, trust issues, difficulty in giving and receiving non sexual touch, difficulty in commitment, fear of rejection & abandonment. Anxiety, guilt, fears.
- Problems forming and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships.
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Insomnia, vivid nightmares, and other sleep problems
- Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders
- Aggression
- Decreased physical heath
- Digestive and gastrointestinal distress
- Sleep disruptions
- Memory problems
- Dramatic mood swings
- Inappropriate sexual behavior
- Sexual promiscuity or refusal
Some of these symptoms may become evident in the immediate aftermath of the sexual assault, while others may not occur until years later.
If you have experienced sexual abuse, please know you are not alone. Treat yourself with compassion.
Know it was Not your fault. You have nothing to feel guilty about and that the effects can be fully healed so that you can move forward.
Even though your abuse will always be with you, it does not define you nor need to cause ongoing pain and suffering. Recovery is possible with time and help.
In order to experience true healing, it is important that you receive therapy that will recognize and address your symptoms in the context of unresolved trauma or PTSD related to childhood sexual abuse.
Do you feel moved towards healing yourself or to reach out for a loved one?