Many people say that healing isn’t linear — there’s no straight line between Point A and Point B, sadly. But with dedication, resolve, and a team of understanding, sensitive professionals, moving on to a brighter tomorrow is possible.

Counseling for Sex Abuse Survivors

A range of resources for survivors of abuse, including therapeutic options, are available. Certain mental health providers specialize in treating people with a history of sexual abuse. Some practitioners might focus more on treating child sex abuse survivors while others might focus on adult patients.

When looking to heal from trauma, it’s best to visit a licensed care practitioner who can recommend the best course of treatment, including any medications or specific therapies.

Some common treatment types of therapy used to treat trauma include:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR): EMDR focuses on how the brain storms traumatic memories, helping integrate them properly, and reducing flashbacks. This form of therapy can work from children to adults.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Over 12 sessions (typically), this short-term therapy looks to decrease tension between the pre- and post-trauma self. It focuses on confronting difficult memories.
Trauma-Focused Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This trauma-centric form of DBT involves learning skills like distress tolerance and mindfulness to regulate emotions. DBT is taught in stages, often with accompanying workbooks.
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy: This therapy can help survivors express trauma without needing to verbalize it.
Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC): ARC therapy is mostly used for young people and their families who are experiencing or have experienced chronic trauma. The therapy focuses on three core domains and eight main treatment targets.