HELP NOW WITH SEXUAL ABUSE ISSUES

You may be reading this because you have suffered the trauma of abuse, or you may be concerned for a partner, family member or a child.  Sexual abuse is one of the gravest injustices that can be suffered by anyone.  The effects are deep and long lasting. Results often include depression, anxiety, difficulty trusting others (especially those with the same gender as the perpetrator), flashbacks and difficulty coping with life.

My experience in working with both males and females who have suffered abuse supports the following principles:

  • a conviction that the person who experienced abuse is never to blame
  • the need for me to give absolute respect and allow my client to gradually build trust
  • a belief that my client is not defined by the abuse.  Often I will be asked to help with depression, relationships or parenting, and that's fine
  • a belief that any discussion of abuse must be at my client's initiative. I will not ask or probe. Training and experience leads me to believe that eventually abuse should be named and spoken about for healing and closure - but it is my client's choice to raise the subject.

Clients might come to therapy with diagnostic labels given by others - for example "schizophrenic", "paranoid", "psychotic", "bi-polar" or today's most popular diagnosis "borderline personality disorder".  Such diagnosis does not form part of my work - each person is treated as a unique human being with their own life and hopes.

Working on abuse can be difficult.  It might take a few sessions before a really trusting relationship can form. If you are a woman you may have reservations about working with a male therapist and I respect this. Some experts believe that working with a male therapist helps a female client to rebuild the trust in males which has often been shattered. My female clients do trust me and have been helped. However this sensitive decision is yours alone to make.

An important warning. If you give me information that leads me to believe a child is currently at risk, it is mandatory for me to inform the authorities. I have no choice in this.

NEXT STEPS

To find out more about working with me click on any of the buttons at the top of the page (a good place to start is Home ). You can check for available appointment times here.

MY GUARANTEE

As a counsellor I know that I can help most people who come to see me, with a wide range of issues. However, the single most important factor in successful therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. You cannot know whether you will have that necessary confidence and trust until we meet. If you end your first session feeling that you haven’t been helped at all and you do not wish to return then tell me. I will gladly refund the initial fee in full, without qualification.