Do you become confused about your past? Are there gaps that you can’t remember, or physical reactions during sex that you don’t understand? Do you ever feel paralyzed when attempting to speak your emotions related to your sexual trauma? Maybe it feels like your body is screaming and crying out, but your mouth is silent? Do you carry shame, guilt, or weight of your family’s denial if you expose your incestuous molester, abuser, or perpetrator?
I understand the pain of sexual abuse
If you identify with any of the following questions listed, you are in the right place. You see, I have been there also. It is a pain that often cannot be identified or explained and at times we may not even know its pain. It’s a wound so deep that sometimes leaves us without words to explain what that “EVENT” represented. Sometimes the pain related to sexual trauma becomes so heavy that it literally feels like chains that we are bound by. We often refer to it as an event, situation, or whatever ambiguous language we’ve been permitted to speak.
What is “IT”?
“IT” cringes our hearts, and is difficult for us to name. But, there are some common symptoms:
- Freeze responses
- Vivid nightmares
- Sleep paralysis
- Flashbacks
- Symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Problems forming and maintaining relationships
- Physical responses during sex
- Disdain or total disgust for the idea of sexual activity in any form
We also can carry shame and guilt and experience low-self-esteem, detachment, aggression, sexual promiscuity, and digestive and gastrointestinal problems to name a few.
“IT” is the language we use to identify or not to identify our abuse, assault, and trauma. “IT” is our rapist, molester, pedophile, perpetrator, betrayer, defiler, attacker, criminal, ravager. This is the name we use to detach from the incidents of sexual trauma that have impacted our lives. “IT” represents the place of safety we stand in when we are afraid to name our experience due to a fear of what naming it means. “IT” is the wall you tear down when you begin the journey to new beginnings and place a name on your trauma.
Naming “IT” can be hard
Even as a survivor, turned thriver, and now therapist it is still challenging to name. However, I want you ladies to know that the freedom comes in naming “IT”. When we name “IT”, it is no longer a secret. It is no longer kept safe within our souls, our body and spirits. When we name “IT” the body’s score begins to lower because it becomes free. You see when we name “IT” we gain a voice that was silenced by our sly, viscous, seemingly kind, aggressive, vile, ravaging, violent abusers. When we name “IT” we gain our power back. Our voices are what give us power. When we gain that freedom, we are on the journey to healing. When we speak, we are no longer on the sidelines of our lives. We are in the game, we are fighting, charging after the sweet soul that lies within. Ready for our new beginning.
My Approach to Sexual Abuse Therapy
As your sexual abuse therapist, I will help you to name your traumatic experience or experiences. And walk through the journey of healing with you. I will provide a safe place for you through talk therapy to process your traumatic experiences and the symptoms resulting from them. Here, you’ll be able to express your emotions and explore the avoidance you may experience. I will challenge your thoughts and negative messages and guide you in replacing them with positive messages. I will help you understand how your thoughts, experiences, fears, defenses, and more impact the way you show up for yourself and others you love. Believe me, I have seen and experienced how devastating trauma can be. I have helped many women struggling with symptoms of PTSD, and I am confident that I can help you.
Begin Sexual Abuse Therapy in Madison, AL
You don’t have to shoulder the weight of your trauma alone. Therapy can provide you with support through the healing process. As a caring therapist, I would love to support you from my Madison, AL counseling practice. To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
- Contact Journey to New Beginnings
- Meet with a caring sexual abuse therapist
- Start overcoming your trauma, and live your life to the fullest
Other Services Offered at Journey to New Beginnings
Sexual abuse therapy is not the only service I offer at my Madison, AL counseling practice. Other mental health services I offer include group therapy, adolescent and family therapy, sexual intimacy counseling, women’s therapy, clinical supervision, and online therapy. If you have any questions, feel free to visit my FAQ, or learn more from my blog.