Sexual Trauma Therapy

Sexual trauma can have profound and lasting effects on survivors' mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It can affect the very essence of individual identity and self-worth. Sexual trauma is a deeply sensitive and often misunderstood subject that has profound implications for those who experience it.

The term “sexual trauma” is often used to describe acts that include sexual violence or abuse. However, it can also encompass a range of other unwanted sexual experiences such as verbal coercion, unwanted touching or harassment, and any form of sexual contact without explicit consent. These can all leave lasting emotional, physical, and psychological scars. Sexual trauma can occur at any age and affects individuals across gender identities, races, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Individuals who suffer from sexual trauma have a higher chance of being diagnosed with a variety of mental health disorders. Common mental health symptoms and diagnoses of sexual trauma include:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Intrusive memories, recurring nightmares, feeling hypervigilant, flashbacks.

• Depression: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and a loss of interest in daily activities.

• Dissociation: Feeling disconnected from one's body or environment. Emotional numbing.

• Anxiety: constant worry, feelings of dread and panic, avoidance of situations or objects that induce distress, racing thoughts.

One of the most significant barriers to healing from sexual trauma is the silence that often surrounds it. Many survivors may fear judgment, disbelief, or retaliation, leading to a reluctance to disclose their experiences. Breaking the silence involves creating safe spaces for survivors to share their stories without fear of stigma or blame. If you feel you are a survivor of sexual trauma, you are not alone. Here at The Wave Within Psychotherapy, we see you, we are here for you.