Sexual Abuse Therapists in 27620
Terrence W Graham
Drug & Alcohol Counselor, LCAS, DCC, CS-I, CBTS
Verified Verified
Raleigh, NC 27620
My name is Terrence W. Graham and I am a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where I earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology in 1993 and a Masters of Science Degree in Agency Counseling in 1998. I am currently a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, a Distance Credentialed Counselor, Clinical Supervisor-Intern for the North Carolina Substance Abuse Board, and a Certified Bariatric Treatment Specialist. My professional background includes over 15 years of counseling experience. In addition to owning Graham Moore & Clark, LLC, I was a Child Therapist for the School Based Mental Health Team.
My name is Terrence W. Graham and I am a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where I earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology in 1993 and a Masters of Science Degree in Agency Counseling in 1998. I am currently a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, a Distance Credentialed Counselor, Clinical Supervisor-Intern for the North Carolina Substance Abuse Board, and a Certified Bariatric Treatment Specialist. My professional background includes over 15 years of counseling experience. In addition to owning Graham Moore & Clark, LLC, I was a Child Therapist for the School Based Mental Health Team.
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Sexual Abuse Therapists
How do therapists treat sexual abuse?
A good therapist will be nonjudgmental and possibly demonstrate active listening, repeating back what the client says to show that they have understood. These skills allow people to feel comfortable discussing their traumatic experiences openly. Some important treatment goals are to restore a sense of safety and to rebuild confidence. In addition to working one-on-one with the patient, a therapist might bring in supportive family members to assist the client.
Do you have to talk extensively about sexual abuse in therapy?
Survivors frequently find it difficult to describe what happened to them out loud. They can even still be in a state of denial if the sexual abuse occurred recently. It is important for survivors to acknowledge that what happened isn’t their fault and to challenge and reappraise any unhealthy feelings or thoughts as they arise. Art therapy and play therapy are useful non-verbal means of communication for some survivors.
How long does treatment for sexual abuse take?
Recovery from sexual abuse can be a long and difficult process. Some survivors are able to move on naturally on their own, given time, while others require the guidance of a trained therapist. Therapy needs vary and can range from a few sessions to months or even years. Healing from sexual abuse takes time, and everyone’s journey will look a little different.
Can trauma symptoms caused by sexual abuse come back after treatment?
As occurs in many cases of trauma, survivors of sexual abuse may experience PTSD-like symptoms long after the abuse has ceased or after an initial round of treatment has occurred. In such a case, there is evidence that prolonged exposure therapy is a useful treatment for survivors, and may be more efficacious than supportive counseling alone. While triggers may continue to cause distress, the idea is that, with time and repeated exposure, their power will fade, allowing survivors to move on with their lives.