Therapy for Sex Abuse and Trauma in Texas

Are You Experiencing Symptoms Of Sex Abuse and
Trauma ?

  • Flashbacks and nightmares: Reliving traumatic events through intrusive memories or dreams.

  • Trust issues: Difficulty trusting others, even close friends and family.

  • Intimacy challenges: Struggles with physical and emotional intimacy in relationships.

  • Low self-esteem: Persistent feelings of worthlessness or shame.

  • Anxiety and panic attacks: Frequent episodes of intense fear and worry.

  • Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in activities.

  • Hypervigilance: Constantly feeling on edge and overly alert to potential threats.

  • Difficulty concentrating: Trouble focusing on tasks or making decisions.

  • Emotional numbness: Feeling disconnected from emotions and the world around them.

  • Self-harm or suicidal thoughts: Engaging in self-injurious behaviors or contemplating suicide.

  • Substance abuse: Using drugs or alcohol to cope with emotional pain.

  • Isolation: Withdrawing from social interactions and activities.

  • Shame and guilt: Feeling responsible for the trauma or believing it was their fault.

  • Body image issues: Negative perceptions of their own body and appearance.

  • Sexual dysfunction: Problems with sexual desire, arousal, or satisfaction.

  • Anger and irritability: Frequent outbursts of anger or irritability.

  • Physical symptoms: Unexplained chronic pain, headaches, or gastrointestinal issues.

  • Fear of being judged: Worrying about how others perceive their trauma.

  • Avoidance behaviors: Avoiding people, places, or activities that remind them of the trauma.

  • Difficulty setting boundaries: Struggling to assert themselves and maintain healthy boundaries.

What Is Sexual Trauma?

Crying woman having trauma

Sexual trauma refers to any unwanted or non-consensual sexual experience that causes emotional, physical, or psychological harm to an individual. It encompasses a wide range of experiences, including sexual assault, rape, molestation, harassment, coercion, and any other form of sexual violence or abuse.

The Impact of sexual trauma can show up in many different ways leaving the person questioning themselves, feeling insecure, feeling damaged or like there’s just something wrong with them.  The effects of sexual trauma can show up in the following ways:

  • ·Emotional Distress: Overwhelmed, Fear, Sadness, Anger, hopelessness

  • Psychological Struggles: Anxiety, Guilt, Shame, Self-Blame, Confusion

  • Relational Issues: Isolation, Disconnect, Distrust, Loneliness, Trust and Safety Issues, Communication Issues

  • Physical Symptoms: Numbness, Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Feeling Disconnected from Body, Overweight as Protection

  • Self-Perception and Identity: Worthlessness, Insecurity, Vulnerability, Powerlessness, Body Image Issues

  • Daily Functioning: Restlessness, Overwhelm, Disconnection

These symptoms can be overwhelming and may fluctuate overtime, making it challenging for individuals to navigate their daily lives and relationships while dealing with the aftermath or residual effects of sexual trauma.

Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Can Help

Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an approach to providing therapy that acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and prioritizes creating a safe and a supportive environment for clients who have experienced traumatic events. This approach recognizes the prevalence of trauma in the lives of many people and seeks to avoid re-traumatization by understanding and responding to the effects of trauma.

Key Principles of Trauma Informed-Care are:

  • Safety

  • Trust

  • Support

  • Collaboration

  • Empowerment, Voice, Choice

  • Cultural Appreciation

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Can Help

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used and effective therapeutic approach for treating sexual trauma. It focuses on helping individuals understand and change the negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to the emotional distress associated with their traumatic experience.

In working with clients, I’m passionate about helping them get to a place of peace, freedom and feeling in control and one with their body.  Here’s how I help, we work through:

  • Identifying and challenging negative thoughts by restructuring trauma related thoughts to address feelings such as self-blame, guilt and or feelings of worthlessness.  We replace trauma related beliefs to create a more compassionate, balanced and supportive perspective.

  • Processing the narrative of what happened in a controlled, safe and supportive environment to reduce the emotional power of the memories.

  • Gradually re-engage in positive activities to reduce isolation, regain control and navigate loneliness.

  • Develop coping skills such as relaxation and grounding techniques to reduce stress, anxiety and support being present and reducing disassociation.

  • Address avoidance and numbing.

  • Empowerment and improve self-esteem to support healing, well-being and overall sense of control.

  • Enhancing interpersonal relationships by improving communication skills to support trust and safety, breaking down internal barriers to connection and intimacy and learning how to set healthy boundaries which is so crucial for healing from sexual trauma.

  • Psychoeducation to empower and help to understand trauma and its impact on the brain, body and reduce feelings of confusion or shame.

  • These strategies build resilience and provides skills for long-term healing. 

By focusing on both the cognitive (thoughts) and behavioral (actions) aspects of trauma recovery, I use CBT to help clients heal from past sexual trauma by addressing the root causes of their distress, promoting healthier thought patterns, and encouraging positive behaviors that support long-term recovery.

I Help Clients In:

  • Healing and recovery: Finding peace and moving beyond the trauma.

  • Building trust: Establishing and maintaining trusting relationships.

  • Emotional intimacy: Developing deep, meaningful connections with others.

  • Self-acceptance: Cultivating a positive self-image and self-worth.

  • Peace of mind: Achieving a sense of calm and reducing anxiety.

  • Happiness: Experiencing joy and satisfaction in life.

  • Safety and security: Feeling safe in their environment and relationships.

  • Focus and clarity: Improving concentration and mental clarity.

  • Emotional connection: Reconnecting with their emotions in a healthy way.

  • Hope and optimism: Looking forward to the future with hope.

  • Healthy coping mechanisms: Developing constructive ways to manage stress and emotions.

  • Healthy coping mechanisms: Developing constructive ways to manage stress and emotions.

  • Social engagement: Reconnecting with friends and participating in social activities.

  • Forgiveness and compassion: Letting go of self-blame and embracing self-compassion.

  • Positive body image: Feeling good about their physical appearance.

  • Sexual wellness: Enjoying a healthy and satisfying sex life. 

  • Calmness and patience: Managing anger and irritability effectively.

  • Physical well-being: Achieving relief from chronic pain and physical symptoms.

  • Support and understanding: Receiving empathy and validation from others.

  • Courage and confidence: Facing fears and challenges with confidence.

  • Healthy boundaries: Establishing and maintaining healthy personal boundaries.

At Solutions Behavior Health Services, Inc.  I offer online therapy throughout the state of Texas and particularly in Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and surrounding areas. 

Online Counseling Throughout All of Texas.

Questions before getting started? Get in touch.