Sexual Trauma Therapy
What Happened Was Not Your Fault. You Can Heal and Experience True Intimacy.
You may feel ashamed because although you're successful and accomplished in many areas of your life, you haven't been able to overcome the effects of sexual trauma. Maybe you're feeling anxious, numb, and isolated, which frustrates you and makes you feel even more helpless. Or, you fear you will never experience a healthy, happy relationship or have a healthy sex life due to past sexual abuse.
Survivors of sexual abuse often experience panic attacks, leaving them scared and disoriented. PTSD symptoms interfere with your ability to go about your daily life and make normal functioning difficult.
There can be fear that you will never be able to move past these traumatic events and experience true intimacy and closeness, which impacts your relationships and your ability to connect with others. You feel stuck, lost, and alone, which doesn't align with your accomplished life and goals.
As a sex therapist specializing in helping the survivors of sexual trauma overcome the past. I understand the impact of trauma and how emotions create disturbances in daily life and sexual health.
What is Sexual Trauma Therapy?
Sexual trauma therapy is a specialized form of therapy that is designed to help you process and heal from the effects of past sexual trauma. This therapy is focused on helping you to understand and resolve the underlying biological stress response that has been triggered by these traumatic events. Through a series of specialized techniques, including somatic therapy and interventions, you can begin to experience relief from feelings of anxiety, fear, helplessness, and isolation.
What are the Benefits of Sexual Trauma Therapy?
Sexual trauma therapy is a specialized form of therapy to help you process and heal from the effects of past sexual trauma.
This therapy focuses on understanding and resolving the underlying biological stress response that these traumatic events have triggered.
Through a series of specialized techniques, including somatic therapy and interventions, you can begin to experience relief from feelings of anxiety, fear, helplessness, and isolation.
Sex therapy provides a healthy and safe place to delve into sexual abuse therapy. The lingering effects of sexual abuse on mental, emotional, and sexual health need a safe environment of therapy to begin the healing process.
What are the Benefits of Sexual Trauma Therapy?
You've experienced trauma, and its effects have been long-lasting and pervasive. Sexual trauma therapy can help you to heal from the damaging effects of these traumatic experiences.
Sexual Trauma Therapy can offer many benefits, including:
Increased feelings of safety and well-being
Better connections and communications with partners, friends, and family
Improved mental health
The ability to experience true intimacy and closeness
Relief from panic attacks, intense emotions, and other symptoms of trauma
Healing of sexual dysfunction as a result of sexual assault and related trauma
The ability to move past these traumatic events and align with the rest of your life and goals
Sexual trauma therapy is individualized to your specific needs and can be tailored based on your unique needs, circumstances, and goals. The benefits of this specialized therapy can help you reclaim your life, move past these traumatic events, and experience true happiness and fulfillment.
As a Certified Sex Therapist, I am Here to Support You
I am trained and certified in sexual trauma therapy, which is a specialized form of treatment. I understand how painful these traumatic memories and experiences can be and the long-lasting effects they have on your life. I have worked with many individuals who have experienced trauma and have helped them to heal and move past these events to experience genuine connection, intimacy, and happiness.
Some individuals come to me single or in a relationship, and I work with each person individually to help them achieve their goals.
I also guide you in preparing for a healthy relationship and satisfying sex life. For those in relationships, my guidance allows you to process trauma and strengthen your current relationships.
My Approach to Sexual Trauma Therapy
Trauma is not resolved by talk therapy alone. Trauma is stored in the brain and body, and your body needs healing, too.
I use somatic therapy to help you process and heal these experiences at a physiological level. Because our survival instincts are built into the human body, I will help you understand them and support the resolution of past trauma.
Some models of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, work to change negative thoughts in the mind and don't address the body.
Because your experiences are stored in the body, using somatic therapy techniques like breathing exercises and guided movements frees them. This new awareness releases you from past patterns, allowing new and positive behaviors and feelings to develop.
I will teach you this system to unwind from the stress and trauma in your nervous system. This way, you can experience relaxation, release, and connection.
Other therapy options for survivors of sexual assault and trauma
There are several evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address post-traumatic stress disorder related to sexual trauma.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another method. Just as our bodies have an innate ability to heal physical wounds, our minds and spirits also can recover from emotional pain.
This approach recognizes that sometimes our inner healing gets stuck, like a paused video. EMDR uses soothing bilateral stimulation - gentle eye movements, soft sounds, or light tapping - to help "play" that video again. This stimulation allows your mind and body to work together, completing the healing journey at your own pace in a safe space.
Brainspotting
The eyes act as windows to our inner world, sometimes revealing hidden corners of our experiences. Brainspotting therapy is a gentle, caring approach to recognizing the connection between our vision and emotions.
This thoughtful therapy understands that some difficult memories or feelings might be tucked away in deeper parts of our minds. By softly guiding your gaze, brainspotting creates a safe space for these experiences to emerge at your own pace.
You can learn more about EMDR here: https://www.cindymichel.com/emdr-therapy-trauma
You can learn more about Brainspotting here: https://www.cindymichel.com/brainspotting-therapy
You Will Be Supported in a Safe, Nonjudgmental Environment
I will support you in regulating your nervous system and improving your feeling of safety, ease, and ability to take care of yourself.
I understand the feelings of guilt, shame, and stress that previous sexual trauma brings, and I can help you process and heal. You deserve freedom from your traumatic experiences and enjoyment of healthy and happy relationships and positive sexual health.
Begin Sexual Trauma Therapy In Los Angeles, California and Beyond
You don't have to feel ashamed or alone in your struggle with sexual trauma. With specialized therapy and support, you can begin the journey to healing and overcome these experiences. It's not your fault that you're struggling, and I am here to help.
I am available for sessions in my Los Angeles office, and also offer virtual appointments to those in California, New Mexico, and Florida.
Please reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation to explore your options. I look forward to meeting you!
Learn More About Me and My Services
Begin aligning with your life and goals today
Other Therapy Services By Cindy Michel, M.A., LMFT, CST
Sexual Trauma Therapy may not be the only service that you're looking for. I also offer other types of therapy services online, such as Individual and Couples Sex Therapy, Online Sex Therapy in California, New Mexico, and Florida, EMDR Therapy, and Somatic Therapy. I also provide Sex Coaching Services. Please reach out if you want to learn more about my other services and explore if therapy or coaching is right for you.