If you’ve experienced sexual abuse or human trafficking, it can feel like the world has shifted beneath your feet. You may be struggling with questions, emotions, and fears that are hard to explain to others. This is why finding safe, supportive spaces like therapy and survivor support groups can be such a powerful part of your healing journey.
At Stronger Than, we understand that healing looks different for everyone, but you shouldn’t have to carry the weight of your trauma alone. Whether you’re newly processing your experience or have been living with it for years, therapy and peer support can help you reconnect with your strength, your story, and your sense of safety.
Why Therapy Can Help After Trauma
Trauma affects your memories, takes a toll on your body, and impacts your relationships, confidence, and even your ability to trust yourself. Therapy offers a space to safely explore what happened to you, how it’s affecting your life now, and what healing can look like on your own terms. It can help you:
- Understand how trauma has shaped your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions
- Manage anxiety, depression, flashbacks, or dissociation
- Rebuild trust in yourself and others
- Develop coping skills for daily life
- Reclaim your voice and sense of control
Trauma-informed therapists are trained to understand the unique needs of survivors. They won’t pressure you to talk about anything before you’re ready, and they’ll work at a pace that feels right for you. You don’t have to have “all the answers” or even be ready to fully talk about your experience to begin therapy. Sometimes, the first step is just saying: “I want to feel better.”
What to Expect in Therapy
Therapy is unique to you, and you can make it what you want to be. Different therapists use different approaches depending on your goals, comfort level, and what feels safe for you. Some common therapy types for survivors include:
- Talk therapy (individual counseling)
- Somatic therapy, which focuses on how trauma is stored in the body
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Trauma-Focused CBT
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Art or expressive therapies
- Group therapy with a trauma-informed facilitator
The first few sessions are usually focused on building trust, getting to know your therapist, and identifying what you want to work on. The longer you work with a therapist, the more they get to know you. This means they will be better able to tailor every session to your needs. Just remember that you’re always in control. You can set boundaries, take breaks, or even change therapists if it doesn’t feel right.
The Power of Support Groups
Support groups connect you with other survivors who truly understand what you’ve been through. These groups offer community, validation, and healing through shared experience.
Many survivors share that being part of a support group has helped them realize they are not alone and that their feelings and reactions are completely valid. These groups offer hope, even in the aftermath of deep trauma, and provide a space to learn from others’ coping strategies. Perhaps most importantly, support groups help survivors understand that their stories matter, that healing is possible when shared in community.
Support groups can be peer-led (by survivors themselves) or facilitated by a therapist or advocate. Some meet in person, while others are held online for privacy and accessibility. You can find groups focused on:
- Sexual assault survivors
- Human trafficking survivors
- Male-identifying survivors
- LGBTQ+ survivors
- Faith-based support groups
- Survivors of childhood sexual abuse
If you’re nervous about joining a group, that’s completely understandable. Just know you don’t have to talk right away. Many people start by simply listening. You’ll be met with compassion and care.
How to Find Therapy and Support Groups
No matter where you live in the U.S., there are organizations and directories that can help connect you to trauma-informed support. Here are some trusted options:
National Directories
- RAINN’s Therapy Finder: rainn.org
- Mental Health America: mhanational.org
- Psychology Today: psychologytoday.com – use filters for trauma, sexual abuse, or human trafficking
- Open Path Collective – low-cost therapy directory
National Organizations with Support Groups
- Survivor Alliance – peer-led support for trafficking survivors
- Pandora’s Project – online community and forums for survivors of sexual violence
- The Joyful Heart Foundation – survivor advocacy and resources
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center – nsvrc.org has a directory of support services by state
You can also reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) or National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) for help finding local support.
Opening Up: When You’re Ready, On Your Terms
If you’ve never been to therapy or a support group before, the idea of opening up can feel overwhelming. That’s normal. It may help to remember:
- You are not required to share anything you don’t want to
- You set the pace
- You are allowed to say “I’m not ready to talk about that”
- Silence is okay too
- You can stop at any time
Therapy and support groups aren’t about fixing you, they’re about helping you feel safe, seen, and supported as you take your next steps. If it takes time to get there, that’s okay. Healing isn’t linear. It’s about progress, not perfection.
You Deserve to Heal
At Stronger Than, we believe every survivor deserves to feel safe, empowered, and supported on their path to healing. Therapy and support groups can be a powerful part of that journey, but the decision is always yours.
Whether you’re ready to talk, looking for resources, or just trying to take the next right step, we’re here for you. We can help you with everything from finding resources to legal aid and more. Get in touch with us today
