Finding Safety After Trauma

Trauma has a way of reshaping how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. For many survivors, the past doesn’t stay in the past—it shows up in the body, in relationships, in sleep, and even in daily routines. While experiences may differ, the weight of trauma can leave lasting wounds that often go unseen and unspoken.

What Survivors Have Faced

Some carry the impact of childhood sexual abuse, molestation, rape, violation, date rape, groping, unlawful sexual intercourse, and other forms of sexual harm. The reality is, no matter how we label it, none of these words can erase what happened or provide vindication. Trauma can disrupt a person’s healthy development and sense of self in profound ways.

The Ongoing Impact of Trauma and PTSD

What’s often misunderstood is how long and how deeply trauma continues to affect survivors. It doesn’t just live in memory—it can live in the body and the nervous system. Survivors of sexual trauma may face ongoing challenges such as:

• Difficulty forming or maintaining healthy relationships

• Substance use or addiction as a way to cope

• Insomnia, vivid nightmares, or disrupted sleep

• Symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns

Common Symptoms Survivors Experience

The effects of trauma may show up in many ways, including:

• Fear, shame, or guilt

• Dissociation or feeling disconnected from reality

• Low self-esteem and self-worth

• Aggression or emotional regression

• Sexual difficulties (avoidance, dysfunction, or promiscuity)

• Withdrawal or isolation

• Digestive and gastrointestinal distress

• Nightmares and sleep disturbance

• Memory or concentration problems

• Anxiety and depression

You Are Not Alone

If you recognize yourself in these struggles, know this: you are not broken, and healing is possible. At Journey to New Beginnings, we offer compassionate, trauma-informed therapy—including EMDR and other evidence-based approaches—to help survivors process their experiences, restore safety, and begin reclaiming their lives.

You don’t have to carry this alone. Reach out today to schedule a confidential session and take the next step toward healing