Sexual Abuse therapists in Ridgecrest, California CA
Sexual Abuse
Ricardo Peña
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
Examples of scenarios that survivors might experience, which inspire them to seek help from others to heal, include:
Uncommon reactions to situations
Continued struggles with feelings and emotions
Sexual dysfunction
New experiences trigger past traumas
Survivors of sexual abuse have found that recognizing their trauma, speaking about it with others, and seeking justice are essential parts of healing. Those who engage with the healing process can move past their trauma and live healthy lives and eliminate some or all of the struggles they have experienced when coping with their trauma on their own.
7 Years Experience
Sexual Abuse
Alethea Gard'ner, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, MSW, LCSW
Unfortunately, sexual abuse is way too common in our world. It often leads to traumatic responses not limited to difficulty in relationships, negative self image, shame, blame, and depression. Working through the abuse can be very empowering and change the way you view yourself. I have been privileged to work with many women and men as they process these memories and regain themselves.
24 Years Experience
Sexual Abuse
Kim Christine Stevens
Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Have experience and comfort working with sexual abuse issues
9 Years Experience
Sexual Abuse
Chris Tickner
Marriage and Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Recovering from sexual abuse is one of the hardest things we can do. It requires a great deal of courage, support, and patience. I have been working with men, women, and children who were sexually abused to overcome the devasting impact it can have. Research tells us that reaching out for support of sexual trauma is really hard. I want you to know if you do reach out, you can get help, and you will recover. Over the past several years, the field of psychology and traumatology has developed new and powerful ways to treat the multiple problems associated with sexual abuse. This stuff works. You don't have to suffer any longer.
28 Years Experience
Sexual Abuse
Dr. Ingrid Solano
Psychologist, PhD
Making sense of trauma, and the impact of trauma, can be accompanied by the fear that you will never be able to overcome the distress you feel when you remember the experience or when those intrusive nightmares, flashbacks, and negative thoughts come crashing into your awareness. Through trauma-focused therapy we reclaim confidence, hopefulness, intimacy, safety, self-esteem, and trust. I have specific expertise in treating trauma symptoms related to sexual assault, intimate partner violence and emotional abuse, military sexual trauma (MST), childhood and complex sexual trauma, violence, and combat trauma experienced by Veterans. These experiences can impact physical health, and daily life.
Many people will experience a form of trauma in their lives. Trauma can come with feelings of shame, anger, and confusion. Posttraumatic stress is a normal human reaction to traumatic events. However, for some individuals this stress persists and interferes with their ability to live the life that they want. I work with complex cases that sometimes include dissociation, numbness, anger, risky behaviors, and years of avoidance. The treatments I provide are the most powerful and effective treatments available for these conditions. I have expertise in individual, as well as relationship (i.e., with a partner) based trauma-focused therapies. I have experienced many times how these treatments help people gain new perspectives about what happened to them, develop a sense of empowerment over their trauma, and improve their lives. These treatments can also be helpful if you feel stuck following experiences of trauma, even if you don’t have PTSD. If you’re unsure whether you want to discuss your trauma, or unsure which approach feels like a good fit for you, we can discuss your concerns. We will explore trauma-focused care that builds upon your current support, coping skills, and personal experience. I primarily employ time-limited, evidence-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBT) such as CPT, PE, and CBCT. (See Individual and Couples Therapy based Trauma-Focused Services.)
In psychological literature, stressors are defined as events and conditions (e.g., losing a job, death of an intimate partner) that cause change and require that the individual adapt to the new situation or life circumstance. Stress processes can include the experience of prejudice events, expectations of rejection, hiding and concealing your authentic self, internalized homophobia, intimate partner violence, discrimination, and ameliorative coping processes that have become bad, ineffective habits. These experiences can be particularly painful when there is social pressure to conceal your experiences, or stigma. I address what it’s like to have no one to talk to about these experiences, and any distress that comes from having nowhere to do this work safely. I practice LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy that considers the impact of minority stress and chronic stress responses. Aside from these stress processes, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and heterosexuals who report any same-sex sexual partners over their lifetime, have greater risk of childhood maltreatment, interpersonal violence, trauma to a close friend or relative, and unexpected death of someone close.
13 Years Experience