At Love This Therapy, we want you to know something deeply important: if you or someone you love has experienced sexual trauma, healing is possible—and you don’t have to walk that path alone. 

Whether you’re an adult trying to make sense of what happened, or an adult whose heart aches for a child who has been hurt, this blog is here to offer hope, understanding, and direction. This kind of pain can feel overwhelming, but with compassionate support and the right therapeutic tools, recovery is not only possible—it can be transformative. 

The Invisible Wounds of Sexual Trauma 

Sexual abuse—whether experienced in childhood or adulthood—can leave behind invisible wounds. These wounds can affect how we view ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we feel in our bodies. Individuals recovering from abuse may grapple with: 

• Anxiety and hypervigilance 

• Shame and self-blame 

• Sleep difficulties and nightmares 

• Depression or emotional numbness 

• Relationship and intimacy struggles 

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks 

For children, symptoms may also include aggression, regression, academic issues, somatic complaints, and difficulty trusting adults (Cohen et al., 2004). The trauma can disrupt their developmental sense of safety and agency, especially if the abuse came from someone they trusted. 

There Is No “Right Way” to Heal 

People who have experienced sexual abuse often wonder, “Why can’t I just move on?” But trauma is not something we think our way out of—it lives in the body and nervous system (van der Kolk, 2014). Healing is not linear. There are moments of progress and moments of setbacks. There may be years between disclosure and treatment. And that’s okay. 

What matters is this: it’s never too late to begin healing. 

Therapies That Support Healing 

The therapeutic relationship can be a powerful tool for healing from sexual trauma. Below are several research-backed modalities that many survivors find helpful: 

1. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) 

Especially effective for children and teens, TF-CBT helps clients process the trauma narrative while learning coping tools. It includes parents in the therapeutic process, empowering them to support the child’s healing (Cohen et al., 2004). 

2. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) 

EMDR is a structured therapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation, often through guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This stimulation supports the brain in “unsticking” distressing memories that were not fully processed at the time of the trauma. Instead of erasing memories, EMDR helps shift the way they are stored—so they no longer feel as emotionally overwhelming or intrusive. 

Many survivors of sexual trauma find EMDR especially powerful because it does not require detailed verbal recounting of the trauma, which can feel re-traumatizing for some. Over time, the memory may still exist, but its emotional charge softens, and the survivor gains a greater sense of calm, clarity, and control (Shapiro, 2018). 

3. Internal Family Systems (IFS) 

IFS recognizes that we all have different “parts” within us—some that hold pain, some that protect us, and some that feel wounded or ashamed. In trauma, parts may become extreme or “stuck.” For example, a protective part might use avoidance or anger to shield a younger, wounded part from feeling vulnerable. 

IFS therapy allows clients to connect with their “Self”—a calm, compassionate inner presence—and build trusting relationships with their inner parts. This gentle, respectful approach can be particularly healing for sexual trauma survivors who may feel fragmented or disconnected from themselves (Schwartz, 2001; Anderson et al., 2017). 

4. Narrative Therapy 

Narrative therapy invites survivors to explore the stories they hold about themselves and their experiences—and to gently reshape those stories in ways that honor their strength and resilience. Instead of being defined by trauma, survivors are supported in reclaiming a sense of authorship over their lives. This process can help shift the narrative from one of powerlessness or shame to one of survival, agency, and meaning. In doing so, it becomes possible to reconnect with parts of the self that trauma may have silenced or fragmented. 

5. Somatic Therapies and Mindfulness 

Because trauma is stored in the nervous system (which innervates all the body’s tissues and organs), many survivors benefit from modalities like Somatic Experiencing, yoga, and breathwork. These approaches help clients re-inhabit their bodies in safe, grounded ways (van der Kolk, 2014). 

6. Play Therapy (for Children) 

Children often express what they cannot put into words through play. For those who have experienced sexual trauma, play therapy offers a developmentally appropriate way to process complex emotions, reclaim a sense of safety, and rebuild trust. In the therapeutic playroom, children are free to use toys, art, stories, and movement to symbolically express and explore what happened—without pressure to verbalize or understand it in adult terms. 

Play therapy has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, depression, and aggression in sexually abused children, and to enhance emotional regulation and attachment security (Bratton, Ray, Rhine, & Jones, 2005). It allows them to “play out” painful experiences in the presence of a safe and attuned adult, which can support emotional integration and post-traumatic healing. 

Therapists trained in trauma-informed play therapy approaches—such as Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) or TraumaPlay—use carefully structured interventions to help the child regain control, express their story in symbolic ways, and experience corrective emotional experiences that foster resilience and self-worth. 

How Parents Can Support a Child After Abuse 

If you’re a parent or guardian whose child has disclosed abuse, your support matters more than you know. Here are a few keyways to show up for them: 

• Stay calm and centered: Your child will be watching your cues. Panic or rage can be overwhelming for them. 

• Believe them: Affirm that you take them seriously and that they’re not to blame. 

• Create safety: This may include limiting access to the abuser, changing routines, or advocating for their needs at school. 

• Normalize therapy: Framing therapy as a strength—not a punishment—can help reduce stigma and fear. 

• Take care of yourself too: You’re navigating shock, grief, and fear. Seeking support for your own well-being is essential. 

Trauma-informed family therapy can help rebuild trust, communication, and stability during this vulnerable time (Cohen et al., 2004). 

Why Compassion is Essential in Healing 

Survivors often carry a harsh inner critic that says, “I should be over this by now,” or “It was my fault.” One of the most healing things therapy can offer is compassion—the kind survivors may not have received during or after the abuse. 

Compassionate counselling doesn’t push people to “just talk about it.” It creates a sense of choice, empowerment, and regulation. A good therapist will help you go at your own pace, honoring your readiness and boundaries. 

The Role of Community and Safety 

Healing from sexual trauma often involves more than just individual therapy. It may include: 

• Support groups with other victims of sexual abuse 

• Legal advocacy and navigating reporting systems 

• Safe relationships that rebuild trust 

• Creative expression (e.g., art, journaling, music) 

• Spiritual practices that offer meaning and connection 

At Love This Therapy, we hold space for all these aspects of healing.  

A Message of Hope 

If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken a brave step. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your child, know this: 

• Healing is not about forgetting. It’s about integrating the pain, so it no longer controls your life. 

• You are not “damaged.” You are surviving something that was never your fault. 

• There is a future beyond trauma—one where you feel safe, whole, and worthy of love. 

We’re Here for You 

At Love This Therapy, we offer gentle, trauma-informed support for adults, children and teens impacted by sexual abuse. We believe in your capacity to heal, and we are honored to be part of your journey. 

If you’re ready to begin, or even just to explore the idea of beginning, we welcome you to reach out. You don’t have to do this alone. You can contact us at 604-229-4887 or info@lovethistherapy.com  

References 

• Anderson, F. S., Sweezy, M., & Schwartz, R. C. (2017). Internal Family Systems Skills Training Manual. PESI Publishing. 

• Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., & Deblinger, E. (2004). Trauma-Focused CBT for Children and Adolescents: Treatment Applications. Guilford Press. 

• Resick, P. A., Monson, C. M., & Chard, K. M. (2017). Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: A Comprehensive Manual. Guilford Press. 

• Schwartz, R. C. (2001). Internal Family Systems Therapy. Guilford Press. 

• Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. Guilford Press. 

• van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.