It takes time to gather trust in other people when you have been abused. Fear is common and normal. Experiencing sexual urges as someone who is sex repulsed isn’t contradictory in all cases. Sexual trauma wrecks havoc on the experience of sexuality that survivors experience. Sex repulsion isn’t the same as never experiencing the attraction or … Continue reading Question: How do you learn to let people love you?
Coping Skills: Finding New Friends & Growing a support network.
Find Some Good Coping Skills First: you will need them to fall back on as you work towards new relationships. Our Resource page has some good resources, including grounding relaxation skills, breathing techniques. A good set of skills is distress tolerance, this is a DBT concept. Just Get Out: (This only applies if you have isolated … Continue reading Coping Skills: Finding New Friends & Growing a support network.
Question: Do you have any advice for feeling like it’s all your fault?
Affirmations really can go a long way. Reminding yourself “it was never my fault”, “I did nothing wrong.” “I was only a child.” Can help. And saying them out loud really helps make it stronger. Saying words out loud really has power. Talking to someone about it can help. A therapist or a trusted friend. They will generally remind … Continue reading Question: Do you have any advice for feeling like it’s all your fault?
Coping Skills: Grounding
You can do grounding skills periodically throughout the day even when not experiencing a flashback, dissociative or anxiety attack. Reminding yourself your good and safe, and feeling like your in your body and in the moment can be a preventive measure. Remind yourself where you are, so like: I am in my apartment, at the … Continue reading Coping Skills: Grounding
Coping Skills:Help With Sleep
Trouble sleeping can be helped, however true chronic insomnia can be resistant to these skills and medication can sometimes be helpful. Put yourself as much in a calm setting before bed. Make your room a good temperature, get a stuffed animal, set up pillows, blankets etc having a comfortable safe environment is helpful. Get yourself … Continue reading Coping Skills:Help With Sleep
For Loved Ones: What should I do if I worry someone I know is being abused?
Collect as much info you can on their behaviours, things they say about abuse etc. If you are an adult, you can report to social services and/or call the police. The way to be there for a child is to respect their boundaries don’t push them to tell you things they are not ready to … Continue reading For Loved Ones: What should I do if I worry someone I know is being abused?
Coping Skills: DBT Resources
DBT skills at a glance (PDF) Wise Mind (PDF) Mindfulness (PDF) Radical acceptance Practice sheet (PDF) DBT micro lessons (Web Page) Mindfulness Guide (PDF) DBT Emotions that fit the facts (PDF) Ways to manage distress (PDF) Working with Primary & Secondary Emotions (PDF) emotion regulation handout, Model for Describing Emotions (PDF) Mindfulness of Your Current Emotion: Letting Go of Emotional Suffering … Continue reading Coping Skills: DBT Resources
Therapy Style: DBT
Dialectical behavioural therapy is a cognitive treatment that focuses on emotional regulation, grounding and other skills. Treats through a psychosocial lens. It was developed to treat BPD but is also used in PTSD and eating disorders. very good for treating suicidal and self-destructive behaviours. Claisical components of DBT treatment: 1. Individual weekly psychotherapy sessions that emphasize … Continue reading Therapy Style: DBT
Therapy Styles: CBT
What is CBT? cognitive behaviorl therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. Its goal is to change patterns of thinking or behaviour that are behind people’s difficulties, and so change the way they feel. It is used to help treat a wide range of issues. It … Continue reading Therapy Styles: CBT
Therapy Style: EMDR
What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a distinct therapuetic approach which uses bilateral stimulation (of which eye movements can be an example) to aid the integration (processing) of distressing information. Used to treat PTSD, and trauma. (credit) What Can You Expect From EMDR? An EMDR treatment session can last up to … Continue reading Therapy Style: EMDR
Survivors Healing Survivors 