Therapeutic Healing from Childhood and Adult Trauma

(Physical, Emotional and Sexual Abuse)

Highly traumatic events in one’s childhood, such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse can lead to core issues which are often at the root of an individuals struggles in his/her present life. All too often, abuse survivors are isolated and in need of support to help recover from the trauma of childhood abuse. Many of these issues pertain as well to adult victims of abuse and rape. Psychotherapy helps to break the isolation that survivors of abuse so often experience. It provides support and guidance for traversing this difficult but ultimately life affirming and healing journey.

Following are some of the common symptoms that affect abused individuals, and are therefore issues that are addressed in the therapy process.

Common Symptoms Experienced by People Who Have Suffered Abuse

  • Shame

  • Guilt

  • Sexual acting out*

  • Hating sex*

  • Aversions to being touched in general and/or in specific places*

  • Nightmares

  • Anorexia, bulimia, or general eating issues*

  • Self-hatred

  • Addictions to alcohol, spending, drugs

  • Unhealthy or inappropriate sexual relationships*

  • Physical ailments

  • Poor body image

  • Fears, phobias, compulsive behaviors

  • Self-destructive behaviors, including self-injury

  • Anger issues: inability to acknowledge or express any anger, at the other end of the spectrum rage spilling out inappropriately

  • Fear of losing control

  • Depression

  • Suicidal feelings

  • Poor boundaries inability to say no

  • Memory loss of periods of childhood

  • Feeling as if you’re the only one with this filthy secret feeling*

  • Feeling unworthy, crazy, different, isolated

  • Flashbacks

  • Flashbacks during sex*

  • Dissociation

  • Dissociation during sex*

  • Revulsion to body parts, esp. genitals*

  • Intimacy Issues and Trust Issues

  • Difficulty focusing on day to day tasks and responsibilities

(Items marked with an * usually pertain specifically to survivors of sexual abuse, but may pertain to survivors of emotional and physical abuse.)