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outlanderSenior Contributor
hello everyone im wondering has anyone had any experiences with sexual abuse counselling?
tomorrow is my first session and i dont have a clue what to expect and im feeling super nervous
In response to: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
@outlander I wonder if it would be useful to re-name the individual? I have re-named my abusive psychologist "Fred." This is because there are complex reasons why I have chosen not to report him and if I was to disclose his name to another psychologist, they would be ethically bound to report him. Hence he has become "Fred". This way I can talk freely about the muddle without any fear of anyone running off and reporting him and thus complicating my life.
In response to: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
outlanderSenior Contributor
In response to: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
outlanderSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
@outlander I got the tip from someone else who also needed to re-name a person in her life. She told me she had named him Fred...so I named my person Fred too. It's ok if you want to name your person Fred...and then one day you too can share this tip with someone in a muddle. 
In response to: Re: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
outlanderSenior Contributor
aww thanks @Phoenix_Rising thats very sweet of you 
it is a very good tip
In response to: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
outlanderSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
ethSenior Contributor
@outlander I've been thinking about your question here since yesterday because I wanted to make sure I answered you in an ok way. I think it's ok to say to the psych something like ... "Something terrible happened to me when I was years old and I'm not ready to talk about the details just yet because it's too traumatic for me and I have no supports away from here. But this is how it's affecting me ....." and tell them about the tremors, flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression - the symptoms and functional effect of what happened that are in the present. Hopefully your psych will be sympathetic, empathic and gentle once they understand how hard it is for you. And not pressure you to go where you are uncomfortable at this stage. The most important thing at the start of sessions (in my opinion) is developing some trust (that goes both ways) and establishing any boundaries you need. A good therapist will help you to feel safe with them.
I've seen many therapists over the years and some of them have done exactly this with me. Ask me any questions you want to and I'll try to help and support you. I urge you to go to the appointment and will be here for you as much as I can.
In response to: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
outlanderSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
ethSenior Contributor
These are important things to recognise @outlander. You clearly have insight into what's happening for you. You can say "I relive the events vividly" without the specific detail if you want to. And that you are affected by talking to men. The psychologist's job is to help you deal with these symptoms. I am about to start EMDR for similar symptoms. It is highly indicated for complex PTSD and I have hope for improvement. There are several types of therapy that have good results for SA survivors and different ones work for different people.
In response to: what to expect at SA therapy sessions
outlanderSenior Contributor
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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