When you experience a sexual assault, you experience something that words cannot describe. It is an invasion of every right you have as a human being, a violation of simple boundaries that should never be crossed. But they were, and now you’re living in the aftermath.
No one deserves to go through a sexual assault. Thriveworks The Woodlands wants to make that abundantly clear: what happened to you is not your fault. Yet too often that guilt will cling to you. The shame and trauma can keep you quiet.
We hear you. Recovery is possible. As dark as it might be right now, it is not the end. Through your resilience and with the help of professional counseling, sexual assault can become something that happened to you, not something that still lives on in your thoughts, emotions, and dreams. A future without the weight of sexual assault is possible.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment today, give Thriveworks in The Woodlands a call at 281-667-9790.
What Are the Impacts of a Sexual Assault?
A sexual assault can leave scars that last a long time, especially when left untreated. Every person’s mind will respond a little differently, and that’s okay! There is no “right” way to deal with a trauma. Right now, you might just be trying to survive. Thriveworks The Woodlands understands this, and we applaud your strength and courage. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, you are strong. You will overcome this.
Sexual assault can leave lasting mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, although it doesn’t always. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s worth reaching out to a professional who can help you heal:
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Feeling like you’re always on edge, always about to bolt or fight
- Flashbacks or nightmares about the assault
- Mood fluctuations
- Anxiety or depression
- Feeling empty
- Pulling away from close friendships or family
- Feelings of guilt or shame
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
These are just some of the symptoms you might be experiencing right now. If you have symptoms not on this list, Thriveworks The Woodlands is still here for you. There is no problem too big or too small for counseling; if you are struggling, we want to help.
Sexual assault makes it feel like you have no choices, but counseling gives you back those choices. You are strong enough to heal and deserving of the chance to do so.
How Does Sexual Assault Recovery Work?
At Thriveworks The Woodlands, every counseling session will be unique to the client. Not everyone experiences sexual assault the same way, and not everyone will recover from it the same way. It is vital that our sexual assault recovery counselors are adaptable in their methods to best meet you where you are at.
Of course, there are a few techniques that have been proven to work during sexual assault recovery and might help you heal. These include:
- Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to unlearn destructive patterns of thinking and behavior.
- Mindfulness and other relaxation techniques to note anxiety and walk back down to a calm state of mind.
- Learning about depth therapy to explore our unconscious thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how those effect our conscious lives. Self-awareness in this area will help you take back control of your mind.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is a type of therapy used to help trauma survivors rewire their brain from a trauma response to a healthy one.
- Build up social support and community
- Develop a healthy lifestyle that supports good mental health (sleep, exercise, diet, etc.)
- Address any co-morbid issues that may come up (depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, etc.)
Remember that sexual assault recovery takes time, and there is no shame in that. Whether it takes you weeks, months, or years, we are all on our own path of recovery. Thriveworks the Woodlands will be with you every step of the way.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment today, give Thriveworks in The Woodlands a call at 281-667-9790.
