Sexual assault
It can be difficult to talk about sexual assault
It can continue to affect you long after the experience itself, and sometimes it can get easier to talk about over time, and sometimes it doesn’t. If you’ve experienced sexual assault and want support for the ways it’s impacted you, we can work on this slowly at your pace. I aim to make our therapy sessions a place where you can feel safe to talk about it in the way that feels most comfortable for you, with no pressure or expectation.
People often worry they will need to recount exactly what happened. You don’t have to. How much you share about what happened is up to you. In trauma therapy, it is more important that we talk about the ways it’s impacting you now. Therapy will focus on helping you and your body feel safe now, in the present day.
The impact can show up in many parts of your life
After an assault, things that were previously manageable can become much harder.
You might struggle to concentrate at work, find work or other responsibilities more difficult, withdraw socially or have difficulty trusting other people.
Sex and intimacy can become difficult too.
You might find yourself replaying what happened or experiencing intrusive thoughts that appear when you don’t want them to. Or perhaps you try not to think about it at all, but memories still come up and feel incredibly distressing.
Your body might also feel more alert than it used to. You may find yourself looking over your shoulder, feeling constantly on edge or finding it harder to regulate your emotions.
For some people, the opposite happens. You might feel numb, disconnected or depressed.
Many people also experience shame or find themselves wondering whether they were somehow responsible for what happened. These responses can have a significant impact on how you experience yourself, other people and the world around you.
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Feeling safe again
Therapy can give you space to process what happened at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Part of that work can involve helping your body recognise that you are safe now, rather than continuing to respond as though it needs to remain in fight, flight or freeze. This can help you process and make sense of what happened, so you are no longer blaming yourself or feeling fearful when you don’t want to be.
Over time, therapy can help the experience feel less present in your everyday life, rather than something that is constantly at the front of your mind.
It can also help you begin to feel safer with other people and in the world again.
What happened to you is something you experienced. It does not need to become the thing that defines you.
Thinking about starting therapy?
If you’re thinking about starting therapy, you’re welcome to get in touch.
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You can ask any questions you have, learn a little more about my approach, or book an appointment if you feel ready to get started. If you’d prefer to speak first, you can also request a free 15-minute initial conversation to briefly talk about what you’re looking for and whether I might be the right therapist for you.