Sexual Assault Counseling

Regain your sense of control, rebuild your self-worth, and learn how to heal.

The trauma of your sexual assault does not have to define you.

After a sexual assault, it’s not uncommon to experience numbness or detachment from oneself or one’s own body. Some survivors may experience a feeling of inner turmoil, which may include an inability to feel “clean” or “wholesome.”  Loss of appetite, hypervigilance, sensitivity to being startled, and sleep disturbances including vivid nightmares are common physical complaints. Common emotional reactions can include excessive feelings of guilt, shame, or feeling responsible for causing the sexual assault or not preventing the sexual assault.  Sometimes survivors can experience strong feelings of anger. These reactions are normal and ways of coping with an atypical and traumatic event. You may feel alone and isolated and feel like no one can help. 

Surviving and overcoming sexual assault can be a difficult and slow journey and may take time. Healing may not happen overnight. It may be hard to begin trusting others again or regain a sense of safety.  It’s important to remember that what you’re experiencing is a normal reaction to trauma. Your feelings of helplessness, shame, defectiveness, and self-blame are symptoms, not reality. No matter how difficult it may seem,  you can come to terms with what happened, regain your sense of safety and trust, and learn to heal and live a fulfilling and happy life.

And most importantly, you do not have to do this alone or in silence.

Testimonials

  • I enjoyed working with Cathy. The structure of the questions were very helpful to bring awareness of professional and personal issues that were gently addressed with Cathy's skillful approach. She is both curious and supportive, a healthy stance to take which helps the client to realize their own potential to grow.

    - Dr. Charlotte M. - Psychoanalyst

  • Cathy Arden was referred to me as a Life Coach when I began the process of separation from my partner. I was skeptical at first, as I had had some positive, and some not so positive experiences with therapy in the past. And what is a “Life Coach” anyway? I thought my sister and friends had enough good sense to help me get through this terrifying period.

    After discussing the particulars of my situation, Cathy offered some suggestions to help me get through the initial steps of mediation. She gave me some simple tools to use when I felt out of control, frightened and confused. Cathy is a terrific listener, and always made sure I was clear about what she heard and how I felt when she reiterated these scenarios back to me. She has been an incredible advocate, and has helped me focus on the positive aspects of this life changing experience.

    - Mary K. - Costume Designer

  • I sought Cathy’s help shortly after a time of major transition in my life. After going through a divorce and with my primary role of Mom less relevant with my children recently graduated and starting their own careers, I felt a little directionless. I was confused about where to go professionally and personally. Cathy helped me to discover my “essential self” and the discoveries I made in this process helped to guide my direction. I was able to make big decisions and move forward. I feel great about where I am right now and about my ability to think about life in these new terms. Cathy showed a remarkable ability to help me transform everything I told her into insights that helped me to determine a plan. I would strongly recommend Cathy as a life coach and I’d definitely call her if I needed help again sorting through thoughts and life decisions.

    - Sue M.

  • What I've learned from Cathy is that in order to truly grasp our own personal goals, fears & potential, it is imperative to look within ourselves. Cathy’s techniques allow you to fully evaluate your true feelings about any situation, without the influence of other people's opinions or what popular culture exemplifies. Finding true happiness is attainable when you are honest with yourself. Only then will you be able to make the choices that are right for you and be able to fulfill your true potential. If you are struggling with making a difficult choice in your life or just feel you need some guidance, Cathy will open your eyes up to what truly matters to you and what you can do about it.

    - Anya K. - Certified Holistic Health Coach

  • I was thinking about it today and I realized that part of what stimulated all this change for my husband and I was when I read the questions in Cathy's Client Introduction Form that was sent to me in advance of starting coaching sessions. Just reading the questions and thinking about how I would answer them gave me the initial realization that my life didn't look like I wanted it to, and I needed to make changes. So thank you, Cathy, for beginning me on this new journey. I am excited and ready for it!

    - Nina M. - Marketing Director