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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a child sexual abuse can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Starting Child sexual abuse therapy

What is child sexual abuse therapy?

Child sexual abuse therapy helps young victims heal from their traumatic experiences and cope with the physical, mental, and emotional impacts. Learn more about child therapy and teen counseling in Raleigh, NC.

How does child sexual abuse therapy work?

Child sexual abuse therapy takes into consideration the age of the victim and then tailors treatment accordingly. It can involve education about trauma and its impact, strategies for coping and relaxation, techniques for addressing negative thoughts, and more.

Is child sexual abuse therapy conducted in person or online?

Child sexual abuse therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does child sexual abuse therapy last?

The length of child sexual abuse therapy with one of our therapists at Thriveworks in Raleigh, NC depends on your child’s exact needs and could last for several months or years.

Need more help deciding?

Child Sexual Abuse: What Is It?

Both boys and girls can experience child sexual abuse, and it can occur in every religion, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. It can be important to understand what it is and what it is not. Most children are sexually abused by someone they know, not a stranger. Perpetrators of child sexual abuse can be well-liked and well-known members of the child’s community. They may be a friend’s parent or a family member. Often, child abuse is not violent in a traditional sense of the word. The coercion that is used is more subtle (although no less harmful). For example, people who sexually abuse children may lead them to believe that they are playing a game.

Defining exactly what child sexual abuse is can be tricky. All 50 states have a legal definition because child sexual abuse is also a crime. Speaking in general terms, children cannot consent so all sexual interactions between adults and children are abusive. Speaking in more specific terms, it may be helpful to categorize child sexual abuse in three ways:

  • Non-contact sexual abuse: An adult can perpetrate sexual abuse against a child without ever touching them. Examples of non-contact sexual abuse include exposing oneself, showing them pornography, or having them witness a sexual act.
  • Child pornography videos and images: If an adult has viewed, distributed, or made child pornography, they have sexually abused the children in the videos and images.
  • Contact sexual abuse: Sexual assault and rape are forms of contact child sexual abuse. Examples of sexual assault include touching a child’s private parts or when a perpetrator has a child touch them. Examples of rape include sexual intercourse or any form of penetration of the child’s vagina or anus.

Long-Term Harm and Adult Survivors

A range of behaviors are included under the term “child sexual abuse.” Each survivor’s experiences are unique, and so is their reaction. The long-term harm of child sexual abuse will also be different for each individual. There is no mold for responding to abuse, but adult survivors often report dealing with on-going issues like…

  • Difficult emotions like shame, blame, and guilt. Many survivors feel as if the abuse was somehow their fault. They may feel as if they could have done more to prevent it. The truth is, the child is never responsible for sexual abuse. Ever. The perpetrator is the only responsible party.
  • Low self-esteem. Emotional abuse can be an element of sexual abuse. When an adult sexually abuses a child, they may tell the child that they are bad or deserve the abuse. These untrue statements are abusive in themselves and can continue to haunt an individual long after the abuse had ended.
  • Relational and trust challenges. In particular, if an individual’s perpetrator was known and trusted, then survivors may have difficulty in future relationships. Child sexual abuse is a deep relational betrayal. Knowing when to trust people is a challenge when someone whom a survivor considered trustworthy instead brought harm into their lives.

Seeking Out a Therapist

If you experienced child sexual abuse, consider seeking out mental health care. If a child in your life has experienced child sexual abuse, consider seeking out mental health care. Here are some suggestions for finding a counselor:

  1. Asking about past experience: working with children, working with child sexual abuse survivors, et cetera.
  2. Inquire about the techniques they use. Trauma-informed Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TICBT) and Trauma-informed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (TIDBT) are two examples of methods that mental health professionals may utilize, but there are more.
  3. Trust your instincts: if you do not feel comfortable with your therapist, move on.

Scheduling an appointment for Child Sexual Abuse at Thriveworks in Raleigh

Thriveworks offers counseling for child sexual abuse survivors in Raleigh, NC. We work with children and adults. When you call to schedule an appointment, you may be meeting with your counselor the following week. We accept many different forms of insurance. We also offer weekend and evening sessions. Let’s work on understanding and healing together.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Raleigh therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Caresource

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Community Health Options

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Raleigh
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I love my therapist and psychiatrist
John Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very helpful She is a pro. I know because I’ve had a lot of therapists. I’d give Thriveworks 6 stars if I could
Read more Very helpful She is a pro. I know because I’ve had a lot of therapists. I’d give Thriveworks 6 stars if I could
Alfred Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My online visits with William have been a God-send! His style is relaxed, but attentive. I highly recommend ThriveWorks for your counseling needs.
Read more My online visits with William have been a God-send! His style is relaxed, but attentive. I highly recommend ThriveWorks for your counseling needs.
Jody Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Had bad fall last year and I was feeling sad, depressed and angry cuz now I couldn't go to see my auntie mom like I was doing two or three times a year.  Now I have to be home I broke my wrist in two places now I have doctors and doctors and doctors and x-rays and all this other stuff going on and I felt like I didn't have my life, didn't have a life right then and I know I would get better but it was taking too long so that was infecting me mentally and so I found the Thriveworks card at my pain doctors office and I gave him a call and immediately they set me up with an appointment.  I've had three or four appointments now.  I'm starting to feel better because I live by myself, I'm 71, and I needed someone to talk to so y'all set me up with a very nice lady.  I learned out to do Zoom and a couple meetings of course, but I'm feeling better  as time goes on.  I still have to have another surgery but at least I'm closer to being able to traveling again right now I can even walk a half a block so thank you Thriveworks for being there for me.  I don't know how ling I need you but I'm glad you're there.  My person is kind to start phone she allows me to talk, she gives me feedback, and I'm just so grateful to have had her during this holiday as well so I've also recommended a couple other people to try Thriveworks right at my doctor's office and they seem interested.  Thank you Thriveworks
Read more Had bad fall last year and I was feeling sad, depressed and angry cuz now I couldn't go to see my auntie mom like I was doing two or three times a year.  Now I have to be home I broke my wrist in two places now I have doctors and doctors and doctors and x-rays and all this other stuff going on and I felt like I didn't have my life, didn't have a life right then and I know I would get better but it was taking too long so that was infecting me mentally and so I found the Thriveworks card at my pain doctors office and I gave him a call and immediately they set me up with an appointment.  I've had three or four appointments now.  I'm starting to feel better because I live by myself, I'm 71, and I needed someone to talk to so y'all set me up with a very nice lady.  I learned out to do Zoom and a couple meetings of course, but I'm feeling better  as time goes on.  I still have to have another surgery but at least I'm closer to being able to traveling again right now I can even walk a half a block so thank you Thriveworks for being there for me.  I don't know how ling I need you but I'm glad you're there.  My person is kind to start phone she allows me to talk, she gives me feedback, and I'm just so grateful to have had her during this holiday as well so I've also recommended a couple other people to try Thriveworks right at my doctor's office and they seem interested.  Thank you Thriveworks
Jean Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Ava has been a joy to collaborate with. Great insight and very professional. As a DSS Social Worker My kids enjoy their sessions with Mrs. Ava and she is able to connect with my kids like no other therapist.
Read more Ava has been a joy to collaborate with. Great insight and very professional. As a DSS Social Worker My kids enjoy their sessions with Mrs. Ava and she is able to connect with my kids like no other therapist.
Raleigh Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have known Mrs. Ashley Barber-Brown for 18 years now and I can honestly say that she is truly an amazing person. Besides her strong will to work hard and take care of her family, Ashley is also compassionate and undoubtedly dedicated to making sure that she helps others. Her selflessness, loyalty and authentic personality are just some of the many attributes that I admire about her.
Read more I have known Mrs. Ashley Barber-Brown for 18 years now and I can honestly say that she is truly an amazing person. Besides her strong will to work hard and take care of her family, Ashley is also compassionate and undoubtedly dedicated to making sure that she helps others. Her selflessness, loyalty and authentic personality are just some of the many attributes that I admire about her.
Raleigh Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Ava Baker is a wonderful therapist, she is patient, kind and I feel very comfortable talking to her. I think she is an asset to your company.
Read more Ava Baker is a wonderful therapist, she is patient, kind and I feel very comfortable talking to her. I think she is an asset to your company.
Raleigh Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★
Caitlyn Dowdy is attentive and thoughtful with her words. She helps bring focus to your goals and offers a safe place to constructively discuss feelings and needs.
Read more Caitlyn Dowdy is attentive and thoughtful with her words. She helps bring focus to your goals and offers a safe place to constructively discuss feelings and needs.
Raleigh Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Raleigh is located at 8406 Six Forks Rd Suite 104, Raleigh, NC 27615, next to Spherion

Phone number

(919) 642-4857

Languages spoken by NC providers

  • Hindi
  • Russian
  • Urdu
  • English
  • Punjabi
  • Creole
  • French
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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