Sexual Trauma Therapy
Overcoming Pain and Reclaiming Your Life
Therapy for Sexual Trauma
You Were Left Feeling Scared and Alone
It was terrifying. It was humiliating. It was painful. Even though you rationally know you’re not alone, sexual trauma can leave you feeling isolated and disconnected from everyone around you.
The Shame Weighs You Down
Something inside feels different—broken, dirty. You don’t want to talk about it. You don’t want anyone to know. You try to hide it, hoping no one will notice the pain you’re carrying. But inside, the guilt and self-blame build up, leaving you feeling heavy and crushed. It’s not quite depression, but it feels eerily similar—choking your voice and keeping you silent.
Your Body Feels Like Foreign Territory
Your body betrays you. Your heart pounds, your palms sweat, and sometimes, it feels like you’re watching yourself from the outside. You shut down emotionally. Things that used to bring you joy now feel like a chore. Your sleep suffers, your mind feels foggy, and on bad days, everything seems unbearable.
Risky Behaviors for Release
You may turn to risky behaviors—sex, drinking, smoking—anything to feel something different. But the relief is always short-lived, and regret follows. You laugh it off, but deep down, the self-loathing creeps in. People judge what they see, but they don’t understand the pain driving your choices. Even those closest to you have no idea what’s really going on.
What Would You Even Say?
The person who hurt you was likely someone you knew or trusted. Maybe they’re still in your life, or your friends know them too. It’s hard to know where to begin, or even what to say. You question your memory: “Was it really that bad?” Fear of not being believed weighs heavily on you, along with the guilt, pain, and embarrassment.
The Many Faces of Assault
Sexual trauma doesn’t always look like the violent attacks portrayed in the media. More often, it happens with someone familiar or someone you thought you could trust. That’s why it’s confusing. Self-doubt, blame, and secrecy make it hard to sort out what really happened, especially if you’re trying to do it alone.
Sexual trauma can take many forms, including:
- Rape
- Sexual Coercion
- Date Rape
- Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Assault
Reactions to Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma disrupts your sense of safety, trust, and control over your life. You may look back and wonder what you could have done differently. You feel stuck—unable to move past the fear, pain, and shame. For many, sexual trauma affects how they view themselves and their sexuality. You might use sex as a way to regain control but still feel disconnected from others. Relationships feel distant, trust is hard to come by, and isolating yourself feels safer than trying to explain what’s going on inside.
Signs of Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma is often a trauma of betrayal, which affects people differently than other forms of trauma. Some common signs include:
- Hyper-independence
- Difficulty trusting others
- Questioning your own judgment
- Shame and low self-esteem
- Engaging in high-risk behaviors
- Feeling disconnected from others
- Experiencing “out of body” sensations
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, know that help is available.
Wendy’s Story: Reclaiming Herself After Sexual Trauma with CPT
The Hidden Pain
From the outside, Wendy had it all—a thriving career, a supportive family, and friends who always showed up. But beneath the surface, she was silently struggling. Years ago, she was sexually assaulted, and despite her efforts to move forward, the memories wouldn’t let her go. She felt broken and disconnected, like she didn’t even recognize herself anymore. The guilt, the shame, the endless “what-ifs”—it all weighed her down, making it hard to see a way out.
Finding Hope in CPT
Wendy was skeptical about therapy. She wasn’t sure it would help, but she knew something had to change. After hearing about Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), she decided to give it a try. From the first session, she realized this was different. CPT gave her a clear, structured path to follow. It wasn’t just about talking—it was about learning how her brain had processed the trauma and figuring out how to take back control. With weekly homework and guided exercises, Wendy started to see where her thoughts were keeping her stuck.
Gaining Strength and Healing
As Wendy worked through each session, things began to shift. The flashbacks and anxiety started to ease, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of calm. She learned how to challenge the beliefs she had about herself—that the assault was her fault, that she should’ve done something differently. Slowly, the shame began to lift. She realized that the trauma didn’t define her, and she didn’t have to carry that burden anymore.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Within just a few months, Wendy felt lighter. CPT had given her the tools to manage the trauma in a way that made sense. She no longer felt trapped by her past or controlled by fear. Wendy could finally trust herself again—trust that she was strong, capable, and deserving of safety and happiness.
She reclaimed her life and was ready to move forward, free from the weight of her past. Wendy’s story is proof that healing is possible. Just like Wendy, you don’t have to stay stuck in the past—you deserve the freedom to live fully again.
Wendy is a composite of several people I have worked with and helped over the years. I changed all personal and identifying information to protect the privacy of women with whom I have worked.
What You Can Expect from Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Sexual Trauma
CPT is a focused, research-backed approach that helps you process your trauma in a way that brings real relief. It works by changing the way your brain reacts to what’s happened, giving you the tools to feel more in control of your emotions and thoughts. Many clients start feeling a shift after just a few sessions. Over time, you’ll notice less anxiety, fewer flashbacks, and more ease in your day-to-day life. Plus, you’ll gain practical skills that you can use long after therapy is done. If you want to learn more about how CPT works, click here to dive deeper into Cognitive Processing Therapy.
Getting Help for Sexual Trauma
You don’t need to relive every detail of what happened to heal. Therapy is about regaining control—over your brain, your body, and your life. Real control isn’t about pushing through or locking everything away. It’s about finding calm, clarity, and strength again. Therapy helps you reclaim how your brain processes both the past and present. Together, we’ll explore how your brain has been reacting, and you’ll learn skills to help it respond differently. These skills won’t just help with the past—they’ll bring ease into your daily life and relationships.
It All Starts with a Call
Healing can begin today. Schedule a free 20-minute phone call to discuss what’s been keeping you stuck, what you’ve tried that hasn’t worked, and how I can help you move forward.