Your instinct is to never talk about it. The details are too much to bear anyway, and even though logically you know it’s not your fault, shame has a grip on you.
You have never shared the impact it had, how it ruined your life. How it’s always there, casting a shadow on yesterday, today, and tomorrow. If people were to hear your thoughts, they’d be shocked. The incident itself was awful, but it’s the aftermath that’s what’s been torturing you the most.
Alcohol helps quiet your mind somewhat; however, you know it’s just a crutch. It didn’t take long for one glass of wine a night to morph into a bottle, and even then, it doesn’t completely settle the unease.
Sometimes you catch a glimpse of someone who resembles them, and immediately, your body freaks out. Your heart pounds, and you can feel the adrenaline surge through your system. You grip the pepper spray attached to your keychain with trembling hands.
What Happens to Survivors of Sexual Trauma?
Sexual trauma violates people in one of the most personal, intimate ways. It strikes where we are the most vulnerable. It takes something profoundly special without consent.
It’s one of those incidents that leaves a clear delineation of ‘before’ and ‘after.’ There are so many aspects to it, so many ways that it impacts us, that working through it can be a real challenge.
Just like any trauma, sexual trauma hijacks the nervous system. For those who don’t get professional help, the incident can taint the way you view yourself, skew your sense of safety, and otherwise limit your life. You may experience flashbacks, have trouble focusing, and develop anxiety or depression.
Unfortunately, these symptoms don’t go away on their own and can actually get worse if left untreated, which is why it’s critical you get help.
How Does Therapy Help Survivors of Sexual Trauma?
Therapy is one of the main ways sexual assault victims get their lives back. The therapist helps people understand how to reduce PTSD symptoms and restores their sense of safety. Additionally, therapists help survivors learn how to manage triggers and eliminate any feelings of responsibility they may harbor regarding the incident.
Without therapy, people often adopt maladaptive strategies to help deal with the trauma, which often backfire and lead to more trauma or a ruptured sense of self.
If the incident occurred decades ago when you were a child, it’s still important to get help. Things that occurred when we were young can influence how we view ourselves and the world. Often, these views are inaccurate. And even though they were developed to keep us safe, they end up limiting us instead.
There is no shame in getting help. Finding a therapist you trust who specializes in helping people heal from sexual trauma is your ticket to reclaiming who you were and the life you once had.
Search ‘therapist near me’ to get the complete rundown of experts in your area. If you are in the greater Sacramento area or throughout California, we can help
At the Relationship Therapy Center, our caring and compassionate staff are ready to assist. Check out our website or give us a call to learn more.
Begin Trauma Therapy in the Sacramento Area or Online:
Are you ready to find peace and healing after trauma? We are here to support you and provide high-quality evidence-based trauma treatment to people in the Sacramento Area and online for people living in the state of California. To begin trauma therapy in Fair Oaks, CA or Roseville, CA, please follow these steps:
- Reach out to our relationship therapy clinic for a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about trauma therapy.
- Meet with one of our compassionate trauma therapists.
- Begin trauma treatment and regain control in your life.
Other Services Offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:
In addition to trauma therapy, Our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. Our couples services include: Counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, family therapy, divorce counseling, intensive couples retreats, and premarital counseling. Individual therapy services include, therapy for children, teen therapy, depression treatment, and individual relationship counseling. Our therapists offer online counseling in California to treat a variety of mental health concerns. Please reach out to our Sacramento area therapy office to learn more about the many ways we can help you or your loved ones heal and grow.
Certified Gottman Therapist
Nancy Ryan, LMFT & Certified Gottman Therapist, is the Founder and Clinical Director of Relationship Therapy Center, with 15+ years of experience supporting clients in Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties, and with offices in Roseville, CA, and Fair Oaks, CA. Our team also supports clients throughout California, Idaho, and Washington
She specializes in couples counseling, mentoring, and training her therapists on how to be excellent therapists. Nancy is also featured in a variety of media and provides couples therapy weekend workshops and retreats.
Relationship Therapy Center uses evidence-based approaches such as EMDR for trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing to treat individuals. Family therapy focuses on family systems and Play Therapy for children. Evidence-based couples therapy includes using the Gottman Method, Gottman Method Affair recovery/infidelity counseling, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Attachment therapy, and David Schnarch's Crucible Therapy, including differentiation. The whole team is in weekly training on trauma-informed care, somatic techniques, sex therapy, and different topics each year.