Photo of Lawrence Whitaker, Licensed Professional Counselor in Alaska
Lawrence Whitaker
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LPC-S
Verified Verified
Anchorage, AK 99501
Accepting telehealth clients. Really enjoy helping others find relief & working with all types of issues whether it be a life change or lingering relationship issues, I am excited to work with you. I have been lucky enough to have worked in a variety of settings giving me unique insight to critical life situations such as: divorce, loss of a loved one, legal issues, family members with severe mental illness. Master’s Level Licensed Mental Health Professional letter for emotional support animal-related services (assessments and therapeutic counseling) for adults.
Accepting telehealth clients. Really enjoy helping others find relief & working with all types of issues whether it be a life change or lingering relationship issues, I am excited to work with you. I have been lucky enough to have worked in a variety of settings giving me unique insight to critical life situations such as: divorce, loss of a loved one, legal issues, family members with severe mental illness. Master’s Level Licensed Mental Health Professional letter for emotional support animal-related services (assessments and therapeutic counseling) for adults.
(907) 420-4764 View (907) 420-4764
Photo of Wisdom Traditions Counseling & Wellness, Counselor in Alaska
Wisdom Traditions Counseling & Wellness
Counselor, PhD, LPCS, CDCS, MAC
Verified Verified
Anchorage, AK 99518
The world grows more complex every day, changing how we live our lives, and it's bringing up a lot of stress and anxiety. We get it. The Wisdom Team provides highly respectful, confidential and individualized treatment choices for you or your family member. We also have counselors specifically dedicated for marriage and family issues. Our Addiction Recovery program is nationally accredited, and provides a warm, informal and rewarding experience for personal growth. We are in this together. Our vision is to positively impact our community; one person...one family at a time.
The world grows more complex every day, changing how we live our lives, and it's bringing up a lot of stress and anxiety. We get it. The Wisdom Team provides highly respectful, confidential and individualized treatment choices for you or your family member. We also have counselors specifically dedicated for marriage and family issues. Our Addiction Recovery program is nationally accredited, and provides a warm, informal and rewarding experience for personal growth. We are in this together. Our vision is to positively impact our community; one person...one family at a time.
(907) 770-3656 View (907) 770-3656
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.