Sexual Abuse or Assault

I have worked with sexual violence survivors in some capacity since 2013. I operate from an empowerment model and I hope to create a therapeutic space where you can explore the ways in which sexual trauma has impacted your day-to-day AND learn how to reclaim your space and agency in the world. This includes exploring sexuality and pleasure if those are things you want. I believe all survivors deserve access to safe, pleasurable sex at all stages of their recovery.

I have taken a particular interest in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how people respond to trauma - particularly when the trauma is inflicted by those the client thought they would be able to trust. Betrayal isn't easy. There is a before and after, but surviving, even thriving is possible. Grinding one's teeth, waking with headaches, insomnia, hypervigilance, and flashbacks can all occur after such incidents, but there is hope - coping mechanisms and even recovery are possible.

I was with Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida for over 3 years where I worked with children, teens, and adults who had experienced sexual abuse or assault. I am also trained in trauma specific modalities such as TF-CBT and EMDR.

I am especially sensitive to the survivors of Sexual Abuse and Assault, with concerns including but not limited to: Boundaries and Trust; Familial Trauma; Domestic Violence and Relationship Issues; Sexual Violence; Shame; Pleasure; PTSD; Working through Pain vs. Pleasure; Recurring Dreams and Nightmares; Reporting or Not-Reporting; Creating a Personal Sexuality; Early Sexual Experience; Processing of Trauma - Putting Words to the Experience(s); Relationship Patterns; Fear; Reclamation of Self

Whether the abuse happened long ago, recently, once, or was ongoing, please know that it is possible to heal and reclaim your power. With comprehensive experience helping survivors of sexual abuse and assault, I am here to help you navigate and manage the painful emotions, overpowering memories and thoughts, and persistent experience of being on edge. My experience includes supporting children, teens, and adults process and cope with sexual abuse, as well as helping family members respond.

EMDR is a useful modality for people who are experiencing symptoms caused by traumatic events like sexual abuse and sexual assault. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can also be useful for sexual abuse and sexual assault survivors because it teaches strategies to become more mindful of the present moment, cope with painful emotions in safe and healthy ways, and establish healthy boundaries and communicate effectively with others.

I have worked with survivors of sexual trauma for over a decade, both as a therapist and as a community based advocate. I recognize the unique challenges healing from sexual based trauma, and believe that building a unique treatment plan for you and your individual needs is essential when creating a working partnership with your therapist.

I have extensive experience working with survivors of sexual abuse, assault, and trauma - whether this occurred during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, and was a one-time or ongoing assault. I have helped children and young adults disclose sexual abuse to family members, survivors of all ages address and process past sexual trauma(s), and clients work through recent/current sexual abuse.

All forms of trauma can cause excruciating symptoms. Trauma perpetrated by other people, especially when sexual in nature, comes with its own particular challenges. I spent over four years working exclusively with survivors of sexual trauma and can bring extensive training and experience to the conversation. If past trauma is still infringing upon your present, you deserve to have space and support for healing.

I worked at a crisis center attached to a shelter where many of my clients were survivors of family/intimate partner violence. I utilize a trauma-informed approach, depending on where the client is in their recovery coupled with patience and understanding.

Trauma is an emotional response to any circumstance where you felt hopeless and overwhelmed. Many times the trauma is in the form of sexual abuse or assault. These experiences exceed your capacity to shape your beliefs, identity, spirituality, and coping. Trauma impacts the way you see yourself, others and the world around you.

Working with survivors of sexual abuse or assault requires deep sensitivity, compassion, and care. As a therapist, I hold space for clients to reclaim a sense of safety in their bodies and relationships after experiences that may have left them feeling powerless, ashamed, or disconnected. Healing from sexual trauma is not linear, it often involves navigating complex emotions like fear, grief, anger, and confusion. My approach centers each survivor’s pace and needs, helping them rebuild trust.

Working with sexual trauma includes building a relationship and a therapeutic environment that can help clients feel the range of under-processed and calcified feelings stored within their bodies, including grief, pain (both physical and psychic), anger, and shame. I help clients understand what is happening in their nervous systems and bodies when triggered, and begin to build present-moment resources which foster a connected, trusting, fortified relationship with their bodies.

Over the last ten years I have sought additional training in trauma, with particular focus on working with survivors of sexual assault. I previously worked in a rape crisis center and volunteered with RAINN for several years. My goal in addressing your sexual trauma is to help you move toward empowerment in your body, relationships, and in the world.

I specifically work with survivors of sexual trauma. As a survivor myself, I intimately know and understand the challenging process of recovery. I hold safe and validating space for survivors, and offer feminist justice-based interventions to repair trauma, rebuild a life worth living, and reconnect to community.

For over 24 years I worked for a local sexual violence response program providing services to adult and child survivors as well their family members and friends.