Sexual Abuse

What it looks like:

Unable to trust others.
Trauma/PTSD symptoms.
Anxiety and depression.
Coping through an Eating Disorder, substance abuse, frequent sexual encounters with multiple people, or abusing others.
Issues with sex and intimacy in adult relationships.
A belief that you can't protect yourself.
Repeated instances of victimization.
Unable to disclose or talk about it with anyone.
Issues with self-esteem and how you see yourself that lead to making choices to match: underperforming in school, jobs below your abilities, unhealthy relationships.

What it feels like:

Confusion -it goes against how others are supposed to behave.
Shame or humiliation that it happened or that you may have deserved it.
Self-blame -if you had done something different it might not have happened, or you didn't do enough, or encouraged it in some way.
Helplessness and dependence.
Betrayed by trusted others to protect you and care for you.
There's something wrong with you that you were targeted, that this happened, that you are responding the way you are -even if it's years later.
You are bad, or disgusting, and don't deserve to have a better life or be alive.

How therapy can help:

The most important thing about receiving therapy for sexual trauma is that it exposes, safely, the secret. The secret is insidious as long as it remains a secret to the holder -it has all the power to destroy when it remains hidden. Just talking about it to someone you trust can lift a heavy weight.
The threats and control used to keep you silenced are desensitized to help you protect yourself going forward and gain control over your life.
Slowly and gently processing sexual trauma lessens the intensity and influence of survival responses (fight/flight, etc.) on your relationships and intimacy.
It points out all the miraculous ways you have survived this trauma and identifies the strengths you've had to possess to survive.

I know this is hard.
I will be there with you for every step.

If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger - don't use this site. These resources can provide you with immediate help.