Hope for Healing - Seeking counseling for childhood sexual abuse
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often see themselves as damaged, believing that there is little or no hope of experiencing peace and wholeness in their lives. Dr. Gina Patterson, Psy. D., is the clinical director of Every Woman’s House, which provides individual and group counseling services and crisis intervention assistance to adults and children who are experiencing difficulty due to sexual assault. Dr. Patterson believes that not only can adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse be healed, but they can even turn their experience around, using it to do good for others.
“Those who have experienced sexual assault many times find that with counseling, they become more compassionate than others and are able to use their experience to help those who have been in similar situations,” said Dr. Patterson.
The first step, she said, is restoring themselves, emphasizing that childhood sexual abuse victims sometimes have difficulty distinguishing accurate from inaccurate beliefs about who they are. Counseling, she said, can help with that.
“What’s important with any type of childhood trauma is to realize that what happened is a part of who you are, but that it’s not your total identity.”
Dr. Patterson explained that survivors of childhood sexual abuse have experienced trauma, to which they can react in many different ways. Some are affected greatly, suffering from anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and post traumatic stress syndrome. Trauma must be treated, she said, because the reactions to it can negatively affect the person throughout their life. With counseling, Dr. Patterson said, full recovery is possible, but the person must be willing to seek help.
“A lot of people see counseling portrayed unrealistically through the media. True counseling is about a trusted relationship, where the client gets to set the goals, help determine how frequently and how long counseling happens, and what they want to focus on.”
According to the American Counseling Association, a counselor can help identify problems and assist in finding the best ways to cope with the situation, by changing behaviors that contribute to the problem or by finding constructive ways to deal with a situation that is beyond personal control.
Entering into counseling is not easy, Dr. Patterson admitted, but if the client is willing to be patient and commit to treatment, they will see improvements in their mental health within a relatively short time.
“Sometimes if you suffered abuse a long time ago, you could temporarily feel worse before you feel better because you’re getting in touch with emotions you’ve suppressed for years. You have to be prepared for that.”
She also explained that counseling will take time and energy within and outside of the therapy sessions. Seeking just the right counselor, she said, goes a long way to begin the healing process.
“Talk to a few counselors first to see if the relationship feels right to you. It’s important that you feel a connection. Sometimes it takes visiting two or three before you find one you connect with,” Dr. Patterson explained, adding that speaking to a counselor doesn’t mean making a commitment to counseling. Instead, it means knowing what’s available in order to make an informed decision.
For those who want to pursue counseling but worry that it might be cost prohibitive, Dr. Patterson said there are options for all financial situations. Every Woman’s House offers mental health counseling in Wayne and Holmes counties, accepting Medicaid and most insurances. They also offer a sliding fee scale based on income.
“I never want a financial issue to be a deterrent for seeking counseling,” said Dr. Patterson.
While Every Woman’s House is the only agency in both counties that specializes in trauma, other counseling agencies are available, she said, offering flexible payment plans and sliding scale fees, including Catholic Charities and The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties. SpringHaven Counseling Center offers counseling with a Christian focus but with respect for people of all faiths. In addition to traditional and sliding-scale payment, SpringHaven participates in a church partnership plan, allowing places of worship to contribute financially to the treatment of their members.
When is it time to seek counseling? According to the American Counseling Association, questioning whether counseling is necessary is probably the best indicator. A person should trust their instincts. If they are more often unhappy than happy, have difficulty sleeping or are unable to prioritize what is important in life, it’s likely time to seek counseling. A counselor will encourage personal growth in ways that foster the client’s interest and well-being, helping them become the person they most want to be. According to Dr. Patterson, that means opening up to a whole new, fully restored existence.
“Counseling helps the survivor,” said Dr. Patterson, “to live the most fulfilling and wonderful life possible.”
These local agencies offer counseling in many areas, including the trauma of sexual abuse and assault. Some also offer sex offender assessment and treatment for those wishing to seek counseling for sexual addiction and child molestation issues.
The Counseling
Center of Wayne
and Holmes Counties
Phone: 330-264-9029
Website: www.ccwhc.org
Every Woman’s House
Phone: 330-263-6021
Hotline: 330-263-1020 or 800-686-1122
Website: www.every
womanshouse.org
Your Human
Resource Center
Phone: 330-264-9597
Website: www.yhrc.org
Catholic Charities
Services
Phone: 330-262-7836
“Those who have experienced sexual assault many times find that with counseling, they become more compassionate than others and are able to use their experience to help those who have been in similar situations,” said Dr. Patterson.
The first step, she said, is restoring themselves, emphasizing that childhood sexual abuse victims sometimes have difficulty distinguishing accurate from inaccurate beliefs about who they are. Counseling, she said, can help with that.
“What’s important with any type of childhood trauma is to realize that what happened is a part of who you are, but that it’s not your total identity.”
Dr. Patterson explained that survivors of childhood sexual abuse have experienced trauma, to which they can react in many different ways. Some are affected greatly, suffering from anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and post traumatic stress syndrome. Trauma must be treated, she said, because the reactions to it can negatively affect the person throughout their life. With counseling, Dr. Patterson said, full recovery is possible, but the person must be willing to seek help.
“A lot of people see counseling portrayed unrealistically through the media. True counseling is about a trusted relationship, where the client gets to set the goals, help determine how frequently and how long counseling happens, and what they want to focus on.”
According to the American Counseling Association, a counselor can help identify problems and assist in finding the best ways to cope with the situation, by changing behaviors that contribute to the problem or by finding constructive ways to deal with a situation that is beyond personal control.
Entering into counseling is not easy, Dr. Patterson admitted, but if the client is willing to be patient and commit to treatment, they will see improvements in their mental health within a relatively short time.
“Sometimes if you suffered abuse a long time ago, you could temporarily feel worse before you feel better because you’re getting in touch with emotions you’ve suppressed for years. You have to be prepared for that.”
She also explained that counseling will take time and energy within and outside of the therapy sessions. Seeking just the right counselor, she said, goes a long way to begin the healing process.
“Talk to a few counselors first to see if the relationship feels right to you. It’s important that you feel a connection. Sometimes it takes visiting two or three before you find one you connect with,” Dr. Patterson explained, adding that speaking to a counselor doesn’t mean making a commitment to counseling. Instead, it means knowing what’s available in order to make an informed decision.
For those who want to pursue counseling but worry that it might be cost prohibitive, Dr. Patterson said there are options for all financial situations. Every Woman’s House offers mental health counseling in Wayne and Holmes counties, accepting Medicaid and most insurances. They also offer a sliding fee scale based on income.
“I never want a financial issue to be a deterrent for seeking counseling,” said Dr. Patterson.
While Every Woman’s House is the only agency in both counties that specializes in trauma, other counseling agencies are available, she said, offering flexible payment plans and sliding scale fees, including Catholic Charities and The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties. SpringHaven Counseling Center offers counseling with a Christian focus but with respect for people of all faiths. In addition to traditional and sliding-scale payment, SpringHaven participates in a church partnership plan, allowing places of worship to contribute financially to the treatment of their members.
When is it time to seek counseling? According to the American Counseling Association, questioning whether counseling is necessary is probably the best indicator. A person should trust their instincts. If they are more often unhappy than happy, have difficulty sleeping or are unable to prioritize what is important in life, it’s likely time to seek counseling. A counselor will encourage personal growth in ways that foster the client’s interest and well-being, helping them become the person they most want to be. According to Dr. Patterson, that means opening up to a whole new, fully restored existence.
“Counseling helps the survivor,” said Dr. Patterson, “to live the most fulfilling and wonderful life possible.”
These local agencies offer counseling in many areas, including the trauma of sexual abuse and assault. Some also offer sex offender assessment and treatment for those wishing to seek counseling for sexual addiction and child molestation issues.
The Counseling
Center of Wayne
and Holmes Counties
Phone: 330-264-9029
Website: www.ccwhc.org
Every Woman’s House
Phone: 330-263-6021
Hotline: 330-263-1020 or 800-686-1122
Website: www.every
womanshouse.org
Your Human
Resource Center
Phone: 330-264-9597
Website: www.yhrc.org
Catholic Charities
Services
Phone: 330-262-7836
Published: May 5, 2011
