Sexual Abuse therapists in Brighton, England ENG, United Kingdom UK
We are proud to feature top rated Sexual Abuse therapists in Brighton. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
Sexual Abuse
Dr Jacob Ellwood
Psychologist, PsychD, Cpsychol
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.
14 Years Experience
In-Person in Brighton, England BN1 1AF
Online in Brighton, ENG England
Sexual Abuse
Rachel Bates
Registered Psychotherapist, M Phil - Counselling & Psychotherapy; M A Psychology
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.
21 Years Experience
In-Person Near Brighton, ENG
Online in Brighton, ENG England
Sexual Abuse
Liz Frings
Counsellor/Therapist, PG Diploma Person-Centred Psychotherapy. EMDR Accredited
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.
15 Years Experience
Online in Brighton, ENG England
Sexual Abuse
Jason Fletcher Hypnotherapy and Coaching
Hypnotherapist, FNCIP SQHP
Sexual abuse work is trauma-informed and carefully paced. I provide a calm and respectful space to process experiences and support emotional stability. The focus is on safety, control, and restoring trust in your own emotional responses.
23 Years Experience
Online in Brighton, ENG England
Sexual Abuse
Kylie Feller
Licensed Professional Counsellor, MA, CCC
What happened to you was not your fault—and healing is possible.
Surviving sexual abuse can leave lasting imprints—shame, fear, disconnection from your body, and a deep sense of mistrust. These experiences often create protective parts that help you survive but may now be keeping you from fully living. In our work together, we move at your pace, always honoring your system’s wisdom. Using Internal Family Systems (IFS) and gentle somatic practices like TRE, I help you build safety from the inside out, reconnect with your body, and begin to unburden the parts of you that are still carrying the pain. You don’t have to face this alone. You are worthy of safety, healing, and wholeness.
10 Years Experience
Online in Brighton, ENG England (Online Only)
Brighton has one of the largest and most visible LGBTQ+ communities in the United Kingdom, and its therapy community reflects this — with high demand for affirming therapists who specialize in queer identity, non-traditional relationship structures, gender diversity, and the intersection of LGBTQ+ experience with mental health. The city's two universities — the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex — generate significant student mental health demand and a progressive, intellectually engaged population that generally views therapy favorably. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides public mental health services, with a strong private therapy community concentrated in the Lanes, Kemptown, and Hove. Brighton's coastal character and arts-oriented culture support a creative community with its own distinct mental health needs around identity, purpose, and economic precarity.
Sexual Abuse therapists in Brighton, England, United Kingdom Statistics
Sexual Abuse therapists in Brighton, England, United Kingdom average 17 years of experience and charge around ¤116 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) (66%), Integrative Therapy (63%), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (49%).
Average years in practice
17 Years Experience
Average cost per session
¤116
Accept insurance
49%
Offer sliding scale
49%
Gender ID
| 63% |
Female |
|
| 31% |
Male |
|
| 4% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 2% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 71% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 29% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 66% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 63% | Integrative Therapy |
| 49% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 44% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
| 41% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 34% | Psychoeducational Therapy |
| 34% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
Ages Served
| 95% | Adult |
| 63% | Young Adult |
| 59% | Senior |
| 51% | Teen |
| 22% | Children |
Client Focus
| 76% | Women |
| 63% | Men |
| 59% | LGBTQ+ |
| 51% | Persons with Disabilities |
| 46% | Christian |