Sexual Abuse or Assault

Many cultures have a tendency to push issues of sexual abuse under the rug, which only adds to the pain that assault already causes. Subduing or quieting yourself in regards to what you've experienced allows shame, anger, sadness, and feelings of rejection to compound. I strive to give survivors space to vocalize what they've gone through, what they needed then, what they need now, while guiding them through giving themselves compassion, for something that the world too easily shuns.

I have worked with hundreds of clients who have experienced sexual abuse/assault. I have seen countless clients experience complete healing from these violations.

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.

While therapy for trauma/sexual abuse/assault is inherently a challenging process, it is a vital, necessary, empowering labor, and it is typically effective in meaningfully reducing symptoms and negative impacts. I am continually amazed by my clients strength, resilience, and ability to heal and to flourish. I always feel honored when invited to assist clients in their journeys to overcome and to triumph over their traumas. I sincerely hope that you will invite me to become a part of yours.

I have over 20 years of experience working professionally and as a lay minister with sexual abuse victims. I also find it extremely helpful to address the impact of sexual abuse in all facets of life - marriage, friendship, sexuality, childbirth, parenting, etc... I am EMDR and IFS trained and incorporate other research based proven methods of helping clients find relief from the pain they are experiencing.

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

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.

I love working with men who have experienced sexual abuse because they are resilient, resourceful, kind, empathetic, been through hell and value investing in themselves. You don’t have to do this alone! I am able to be here for you and with you, to deeply listen and to gently and patiently inquire with curiosity. You get to open up and be seen on your own terms and at your own pace. With support, why not move through the discomfort and live life where the inside feels great too?

#metoo. I believe you. I'm here to offer you a safe space to cry, grieve, scream, question, rage, mourn, and go through all the waves of emotions that arise after a sexual assault. If you’ve been feeling alone in life lately, feeling like no one truly understands the depths of the pain you are in, or feeling like you’ve lost parts of yourself and the person you used to be, let's get in touch. I am here to listen, hold empathetic space, and we will take the therapy journey at your own pace.

As a sex-positive therapist, I approach the treatment of sexual abuse and assault with empathy, and respect, and create a safe, supportive space where survivors can process their experiences at their own pace. Through the trauma-informed technique of Brainspotting, I help clients rebuild trust, regain a sense of control, and explore healthy, consensual sexual relationships. I prioritize empowering clients to reclaim their bodies and sexuality, fostering healing while honoring their journeys.

I am a sexual abuse survivor. I have advanced training in trauma therapy with a primary focus on treating PTSD. I have compassion for all sexual abuse survivors.

Many clients that I see have experienced sexual abuse or assault within their relationships or in childhood and these experiences become a focus of the trauma processing work that we do together. I have also completed the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs Therapist Core training and implement this with my clients.

Sexual abuse can have an impact on almost every aspect of a person's functioning. It is sometimes hard to start the work to heal from sexual abuse, but our work together will assist you in discovering a life beyond the sexual abuse.

Sexual trauma is one of the most painful traumas as it's often surrounded by so much shame and self-blame that it can take a very long time to reach out for help. As someone who has worked at sexual assault agencies in Boulder, CO, San Antonio, TX and San Francisco, CA as well as treating trauma in my counseling practice, I have seen first hand the wide spread pain and havoc that sexual trauma causes. The good news is that relief from your pain is possible and freedom is within reach.

Too often people endure sexual abuse or assault and keep it to themselves out of fear or shame. Sometimes the only place where people can talk about the abuse that they endured and truly process and heal from those wounds is through therapy. I help my clients to explore their relationship with trust and safety in their own body in the aftermath of these experiences.

Sexual abuse is a part of my own story, and I know the depths of hurt, isolation, and struggle that can come from navigating these waters alone. I especially value working with men navigating stories of sexual abuse and the stigmas that are often associated with it. I want to help people begin to name what they long to heal, and begin to grieve what they are terrified to name.

In addition to working clinically with survivors of sexual abuse and assault, I am a Staff Trainer for MVP Strategies, a gender violence prevention program founded by Jackson Katz, PhD., utilizing the Bystander Approach. I have worked for over 10 years training individuals in the US Military, the entertainment industry, college and university athletic programs, and community groups to recognize and intervene in sexual violence in their immediate cultural contexts.

We appreciate how challenging, complicated, and vulnerable working with those who've been abused (sexually, physically, verbally, mentally). Every single clinician in our practice has specialized training in working through trauma and abuse and paces it in a way that fosters safety, compassion, awareness, and sensitivity. We offer many ways to process trauma like EMDR, Trainspotting, Somatic Work, Parts Work, and more.