The Compassion Chronicles

Trauma

Why Many Continue to Get Involved in Unhealthy Relationships

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on March 28, 2025

If you have a pattern of getting involved with abusive, unfaithful, addicted, or otherwise unhealthy partners, this post will help you understand why you do this.

If you have a pattern of getting involved with abusive, unfaithful, addicted, or otherwise unhealthy partners, this post will help you understand why you do this.

Trauma

Traumatic Reenactments in Abuse Survivors

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on January 28, 2025

Former victims often reenact past trauma by becoming involved with abusive people or by treating themselves or their children the way their parents did.

Former victims often reenact past trauma by becoming involved with abusive people or by treating themselves or their children the way their parents did.

Trauma

Help for Survivors Who Are Triggered by the Election

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on November 11, 2024

Strategies to help you take care of yourself when you are triggered.

Strategies to help you take care of yourself when you are triggered.

Sexual Abuse

The Lesser-Known Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on September 17, 2024

There are effects of child sexual abuse that many people are not aware of. Learning about these can help former victims understand themselves better.

There are effects of child sexual abuse that many people are not aware of. Learning about these can help former victims understand themselves better.

Sexual Abuse

Tell Yourself the Truth if You Were Sexually Abused

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on July 15, 2024

Victims of child sexual abuse tend to be in denial: denial that they were abused, denial that the abuse caused damage, denial that it was done against their will.

Victims of child sexual abuse tend to be in denial: denial that they were abused, denial that the abuse caused damage, denial that it was done against their will.

Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse: A Common Secret

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on May 14, 2024

There are many obstacles child victims of sexual abuse must overcome before they can disclose the abuse. In fact, the average age at the time of reporting is about 52 years.

There are many obstacles child victims of sexual abuse must overcome before they can disclose the abuse. In fact, the average age at the time of reporting is about 52 years.

Sexual Abuse

The Importance of Speaking Up If You Witness Child Sexual Abuse

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on April 3, 2024

You should absolutely speak up, but it can sometimes be difficult to do.

You should absolutely speak up, but it can sometimes be difficult to do.

Sexual Abuse

How to Replace Shame-Inducing Sex With Healthy Sex

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on January 18, 2024

Here are essential strategies to help former victims of child sexual abuse stay healthy and in shame-free sexual relationships.

Here are essential strategies to help former victims of child sexual abuse stay healthy and in shame-free sexual relationships.

Sexual Abuse

The Psychological Impact of Clergy-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on November 16, 2023

If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy, you are not alone.

If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy, you are not alone.

Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse by Female Perpetrators

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on September 6, 2023

When we think of childhood sexual abuse, we typically picture the perpetrators as adult men. But child molesters can also be female.

When we think of childhood sexual abuse, we typically picture the perpetrators as adult men. But child molesters can also be female.

Sexual Abuse

Sibling Sexual Abuse: An Underreported Form of CSA

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on June 20, 2023

Sibling sexual abuse is the most damaging form of incest.

Sibling sexual abuse is the most damaging form of incest.

Sex

How Survivors of Sex Abuse Can Stop Compulsive Sex Practices

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on April 13, 2023

Being re-victimized isn't the only way former victims of child sexual abuse reenact their trauma, some take on a sexually aggressive stance in an attempt to avoid being victimized.

Being re-victimized isn't the only way former victims of child sexual abuse reenact their trauma, some take on a sexually aggressive stance in an attempt to avoid being victimized.

Sex

How Survivors of Sexual Abuse Can Stop Being Re-Victimized

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on April 5, 2023

There are powerful ways you can protect yourself from further sexual victimization.

There are powerful ways you can protect yourself from further sexual victimization.

Trauma

Taking the Shame Out of Your Sexual Relationships

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on March 24, 2023

The trauma of childhood sexual abuse can literally shape a survivor's sexual personality.

The trauma of childhood sexual abuse can literally shape a survivor's sexual personality.

Sex

Healing From Sexual Abuse: Forgiveness and Disclosure

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on February 1, 2023

Disclosure and forgiving oneself for previous "bad" behavior can help heal the shame that often results from childhood sexual abuse.

Disclosure and forgiving oneself for previous "bad" behavior can help heal the shame that often results from childhood sexual abuse.

Embarrassment

More Ways to Help Heal the Shame of Child Sexual Abuse

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on January 27, 2023

Shame is one of the most damaging aspects of child sexual abuse, but you can begin to heal that shame through self-compassion and safely expressing anger.

Shame is one of the most damaging aspects of child sexual abuse, but you can begin to heal that shame through self-compassion and safely expressing anger.

Embarrassment

3 Strategies to Help Heal the Shame of Child Sexual Abuse

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on January 17, 2023

If you were sexually abused as a child, you likely suffer from shame that continuously affects you.

If you were sexually abused as a child, you likely suffer from shame that continuously affects you.

Sex

What Constitutes Child Sexual Abuse?

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on December 22, 2022

People can be sexually abused in childhood without realizing it.

People can be sexually abused in childhood without realizing it.

Embarrassment

Why Is Shame the Most Damaging Aspect of Child Sexual Abuse?

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on December 14, 2022

Healing the shame caused by childhood sexual abuse is vital to the healing process for survivors of child sexual abuse.

Healing the shame caused by childhood sexual abuse is vital to the healing process for survivors of child sexual abuse.

Narcissism

Can Someone With BPD or NPD Change?

Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on December 4, 2022

It is possible for those who suffer from BPD or NPD to change, but many people struggle to let down their defensive walls and become vulnerable.

It is possible for those who suffer from BPD or NPD to change, but many people struggle to let down their defensive walls and become vulnerable.