Online Sexual Abuse therapists in Dursley, England ENG, United Kingdom UK

Having experienced and overcome the trauma and side effects of sexual abuse, and having studied accordingly, I can hold space for and help women and men with issues of sexual abuse, whether or not you remember things clearly. As with emotional abuse, there are many subtle ways that this can occur in all sorts of relationships. You can be sure that we will address your issues with absolute confidentiality, without judgement, and find a way out of shame and pain. It will need trust and patience.  

The impact of sexual abuse can be devastating, but your experience need not define you or dictate your actions. I have extensive experience of working with clients of all gender identities who have experienced sexual abuse. I use techniques to combat internalised shame, and to help them to feel safe.  

We can restore healthy relationships and intimacy- even if we have experienced abuse in the past. Feeling fearful, confused, ashamed, overly-sexualised or afraid of intimacy are important ways our nervous system may be dealing with something really difficult to process. And these protective patterns can shift. Sexual abuse or assault are, sadly, far more common than you'd think. Working with sexual abuse means working gently and delicately at your pace, often not even needing to re-hash the content of past events, but understanding how the after-effects have created your protective responses. We start with restoring a feeling of safety and integrity so that you can move at your own pace. I take a gentle, measured approach, helping you to heal somatically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. My approach is informed by somatic experiencing and Polyvagal approaches, which work with our bodies and nervous systems.  

Sexual violence and abuse is any behaviour of a sexual nature which is unwanted and takes place without consent or understanding. This can cause shock, guilt, anger, shame, depression, anxiety and/or have a profound effect on the survivor's attitude towards sex.  

Sexual abuse breaks something fundamental—your sense of safety in your own body, your ability to trust, your right to say no. The impact doesn't end when the abuse ends. It shows up in relationships, in how you feel about yourself, in anxiety or depression or dissociation that doesn't make sense until you connect it back. Many survivors spend years not naming it as abuse, minimizing what happened, or believing they should be "over it" by now. There's no timeline for this. Your nervous system is still protecting you from something that felt life-threatening, even if rationally you know you're safe now. We work carefully and at your pace. This isn't about forcing you to relive everything in graphic detail—that re-traumatizes, it doesn't heal. Instead, we work to help your nervous system understand that the threat is over, while processing what happened in a way that doesn't overwhelm you. You're not broken. Your responses make complete sense given what you survived. Healing is possible, but it takes time, safety, and someone who understands trauma from the inside. If you're ready to explore this work, reach out. We'll start with a free consultation to see if I'm the right fit.  

I have extensive experience working with people who have suffered sexual abusr/assault, & specialise in childhood sexual abuse. My person centered, strengths based & trauma informed practice helps me to create a safe & comfortable therapeutic environment & build a trusting relationship with individuals. This creates a healing environment & supports people to find a way to live with their trauma experiences. I often explain this work through the analogy of wound healing. Before one begins to work on past trauma, the memories are like an open wound. They are painful & have not healed. Through the process of counselling (I've found talking & narrative therapy to be very helpful for clients around these issues) the wound heals & becomes a scar. Whilst you can never remove it, the scar no longer hurts & is just a memory of the incident(s), a memory that no longer has the capacity to hurt.  

An integrative and trauma-informed approach is one of the most effective ways to support survivors with your healing process. This approach combines the empathic and person-centred principles of humanistic therapy with the sensitivity to trauma's impact on a survivor's mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Counselling survivors of sexual abuse requires a compassionate, empathic and trauma-informed approach that prioritises your safety, autonomy and empowerment. By integrating humanistic principles with trauma-informed care, I provide a holistic and supportive environment that fosters healing and resilience. This approach not only addresses the immediate impact of sexual trauma but also empowers survivors to reclaim your sense of self and move forward with strength and hope.  

Empower Your Healing Journey: Expert Sexual Abuse Therapy Experience transformative healing through our specialized sexual abuse therapy. Our compassionate therapists provide a safe and nurturing space to address the profound impact of sexual abuse. With a trauma-informed approach and evidence-based techniques, we help survivors navigate their healing process, regain control, and rebuild their lives. Our individualized therapy sessions focus on trauma resolution, building resilience, and restoring self-worth. Take the courageous step towards healing and reclaim your power. Schedule a confidential session with our experienced team of therapists and embark on a journey towards renewed strength, healing, and empowerment.  

I work with those going through issues related to sexual abuse.  

The trauma around having been sexually abused is often very subtle and insidious, felt in the background almost as if it belongs elsewhere. Its impact on your life can be far reaching. I have a particular interest in supporting people to come to terms with this impact, and to rebuild and move on with their lives.  

For over fourteen years, we have supported Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and those healing from racial and generational trauma, both historic and current, to recover. Our lead practitioner had done personal recovery work as a CSAS/survivor and brings compassion to supporting and facilitating so many others on their own organic healing journeys. We are skilled with one time abuse, ritualistic abuse, torture, some trafficking, and repeated sexual abuse trauma recovery support work. We are skilled with offering compassionate support for dissociation, shock trauma, neurodevelopmental, various Parts Work Models and Systems Models, Inner Child Work, somatics, non dominant handwriting, memory reconsolidation, working with no memories, coherence and integration work, endocrine and immune system integration support...We bring a compassion and well developed capacity that is helpful to this work. We can organically weave in what the client needs and adjust as we go, sourcing from models as diverse as TIST, DBR, IFS -- Internal Family Systems, EFIT, distance CranioSacral, Traditional/Eco-Relational Ways, Ancestral Healing, Attachment Theory, Inner Child Somatic and Expressive Work, Functional and Integrative Care, Intersectional Oppression Care.. to build a rich organic framework for meeting the recovery needs of each individual survivors. We support clients receiving adjunct peer group and other care so that there is a strong safety net for the work. We often support folks through this work for a minimum of three years, though each person is different. Some folks may recover to the point of needing less frequent sessions, sometimes something will activate and more or longer sessions may help for a period of time. One doesn't need to be diagnosed to do this work. Some folks have patchy memories or doubt their memories, that's natural. All are welcome. What is asked is that folks show up with a willingness to meet what's coming up for them as compassionately as one can as they recover. The practitioner will offer lots of support with this as the client is moving through memories, feelings, flashbacks, symptoms, situational challenges, activations...If you have questions, please feel free to ask.  

For over four years, I have worked closely with survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and other crimes. My experience includes providing both individual and group therapy, as well as facilitating support groups for families impacted by homicide. I understand the deep, layered impact that these experiences can have and approach each client with sensitivity, discretion, and care. Many of my clients have faced multiple forms of trauma, and I work to help them feel safe, supported, and empowered in reclaiming their lives.  

Creating a Safe SpaceThe foundation of healing from sexual abuse is safety—and therapy provides a confidential, judgment-free space where you have complete control. You decide what to share, when to share it, and how fast to move. A trauma-informed therapist understands that building trust takes time and will never pressure you to discuss anything before you're ready.Processing the TraumaSexual abuse often gets "stuck" in your nervous system, which is why memories can feel so vivid and overwhelming. Trauma-focused therapies help your brain properly process these experiences so they become integrated memories rather than present threats.EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is particularly effective for sexual abuse. It helps reprocess traumatic memories without requiring you to describe every detail out loud. Through bilateral stimulation (eye movements or tapping), EMDR helps reduce the emotional intensity of memories and transform beliefs like "I'm dirty" or "It was my fault" into more accurate, compassionate truths like "I survived" or "I deserve safety and respect."Trauma-Focused CBT helps you work through trauma memories while also addressing unhelpful thought patterns and avoidance behaviors that keep you stuck.Releasing Shame and Self-BlameOne of the most insidious effects of sexual abuse is shame—the feeling that you're somehow damaged, dirty, or responsible for what happened. Therapy helps you understand that shame belongs to the perpetrator, not to you. Your therapist will gently but consistently help you recognize that: The abuse was not your fault, regardless of the circumstances Your body's responses (freezing, not fighting back, physical sensations) were survival mechanisms, not consent You deserve compassion, not judgment You're not defined by what was done to you Reconnecting with Your BodySexual abuse often causes disconnection from your body—feeling numb, dissociated, or like your body betrayed you. Somatic therapies help you gradually reconnect with physical sensations in a safe, gentle way. You learn that your body isn't the enemy; it protected you the best way it could and can be a source of wisdom and strength.Rebuilding TrustAfter abuse, trusting others—or yourself—can feel impossible. The therapeutic relationship itself becomes a space to practice trust. Your therapist demonstrates consistency, respect for boundaries, and genuine care without exploitation. Over time, this experience can help you believe that safe, trustworthy relationships are possible.Working Through Relationship and Intimacy IssuesSexual abuse often complicates romantic and sexual relationships. Therapy provides space to explore these difficulties, whether that's fear of intimacy, difficulty with physical touch, complicated feelings about sex, or patterns of choosing unhealthy partners. You can work on communicating your needs, setting boundaries, and gradually reclaiming your sexuality on your own terms.Processing Complex FeelingsIf the abuse was committed by someone you knew, loved, or depended on—which is often the case—your feelings might be complicated. You might experience grief, anger, confusion, or even lingering attachment alongside the trauma. Therapy honors this complexity without judgment and helps you make sense of seemingly contradictory emotions.Addressing DissociationMany survivors of sexual abuse experience dissociation—feeling disconnected from yourself, your surroundings, or reality. This was likely a protective response during the abuse. Therapy teaches grounding techniques to help you stay present and gradually reduces the need for dissociation as you process the trauma.Healing Developmental WoundsIf the abuse occurred during childhood or adolescence, it may have disrupted your normal development—impacting your sense of identity, sexuality, boundaries, and relationships. Therapy helps address these developmental wounds and supports you in reclaiming aspects of growth that were stolen from you.Breaking Silence and IsolationSexual abuse thrives in secrecy. Simply speaking your truth to someone who believes you and responds with compassion can be profoundly healing. Therapy breaks the isolation that abuse creates and reminds you that you're not alone—many survivors have walked this path before you and found their way to healing.Reclaiming Your PowerAbuse strips away your sense of control and agency. Therapy helps you reclaim your power—making choices about your healing process, setting boundaries, discovering your voice, and recognizing your strength. You learn that you're not a victim defined by what happened; you're a survivor with agency over your future. Building a Life Beyond SurvivalEarly therapy often focuses on stabilization and processing trauma. As you heal, therapy shifts toward building the life you want—developing healthy relationships, pursuing goals, experiencing joy, and discovering who you are beyond the abuse. Recovery isn't just about reducing symptoms; it's about thriving.  

Sexual abuse is one of the most harmful experiences that anyone can endure. The consequences of sexual abuse can often be devastating. This is true even if the abuse might appear trivial to some people who lack understanding. Sexual abuse is always traumatic, and trauma therapy will nearly always heal most or all of consequences of the abuse. I never ask for any details about what has happened, but I will help you to recover and let go of the shame and other bad feelings associated with the abuse, so you can maintain healthy relationships.  

Experiences of sexual abuse can affect safety, trust, identity, boundaries, relationships, self-worth, and your connection to your own body. The impact can be long-lasting and may manifest in many ways. My approach is gentle, trauma-informed, and non-judgemental. I provide a space where you can move at your own pace, make sense of what you have experienced, and begin to rebuild safety, trust, and a stronger sense of self.  

We provide a safe, nurturing and empathic space for survivors.  

I have experience supporting adolescents, adults, and families affected by sexual abuse, including working in a residential program with teenage boys exhibiting problem sexual behaviors. I also support adults with a history of childhood sexual abuse. I provide compassionate guidance, promote accountability, and help individuals and families build safe, healthy coping strategies in a structured and supportive environment.  

In my work with young people who have suffered abuse I establish a safe confidential space that allows them to feel supported and validated. I also offer trauma informed care that looks at the symptoms of trauma and how that impact the memory and the nervous system. I think what has happened will have a profound way in all our interactions.  

I am able to deal with sexual abuse sufferers on any level and that includes rape victims either recent or in the past - One woman was 72 and had been raled at 17 and still had the trauma until i dealt with it in one session to gain release. She was amazed that is had been carried all those years and damaged so much of her life when she could have dealt with it in Trauma therapy in the past 20 years and needed not suffer in silence any more.  

If you have or are experiencing sexual abuse, it is very important to get help. You need to get out of this situation and/ or heal from the damage done. People that were sexually abused may be traumatized and suffer from dissociation (part of you goes away), flashbacks (images and/or physical and emotional reactions are triggered involuntarily) and other symptoms that can make your life difficult and hinder you to experience positive sexual encounters. This affects you and your relationships and can be helped. Don’t hesitate, especially if this is ongoing. Get help quickly and start your better life. If you are a person who abuses a child or any other person, part of you may justify this with different excuses and even claim it wasn’t abuse. If there is a part, maybe the best in you, that knows what you are doing is not ok, then get help as soon as possible. Change is possible, also for you.