Sexual Abuse Therapists in Saint Louis, MO

I have 25 years of experience and specialized training in the field of trauma treatment and mental health. Areas of focus: depression, anxiety, panic, relationships, physical, emotional and sexual violence, child sexual abuse, post-traumatic and acute stress symptoms, dissociation, grief/loss, accident related trauma, direct or secondary traumatic experience, first responder and military incidents of stress. Clients that have experienced traumatic events often feel as if they are not themselves, may have intrusive thoughts, difficulty with focus, trust and may feel jumpy and/or numb. I would like to help you find your way through.

If you need a warm, supportive space where you can feel safe to explore, learn, and make changes, you've come to the right place! I work with people from diverse backgrounds in a compassionate manner focusing on improving communication, recovering from past trauma, and developing effective strategies for stress/coping. I am directive at times and will challenge you to take on new perspectives and try out new behaviors, but at a pace that is comfortable to you. I use cognitive-behavioral techniques, role-playing, goal setting, exposure/response prevention, assertiveness training, internal family systems, and others.

At times, we all experience challenges in our lives that make us feel out of control, out of balance, and disconnected. Despite these challenges, I believe that you can grow and heal. I believe in helping people through Faith based and practical counseling approach that responds to the needs of the whole person. I have a strong commitiment to the strengthening of individuals, marriages and families by promoting excellence in counseling. I specialize in the treatment of PTSD disorders, addictions, and sexual abuse.

Dr. Helen Friedman is a compassionate and interactive clinical psychologist with 10 years of additional formal training after her Ph.D. and 41 years in practice. She works with anxiety, stress, depression, grief, divorce, sexual and relationship issues. Specialty areas are child sexual abuse (children, adults, victims and perpetrators), compulsive sexual behavior (including porn addiction and partners), dissociative identity disorder, and gender identity. Trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities (family systems, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, gestalt, etc.), she tailors her approach to the individual, couple, or family.

I work with those who struggle with trauma, relationship problems, and not taking care of oneself first. I have experience working with those who have sexual abuse or assault histories, trauma within problematic relationships, and compassion fatigue. Trauma comes in all sizes and from a variety of experiences, so do not discount what you have lived through. No matter the circumstances that bring you into therapy, we will spend time healing your wounds to help you grow into the person you wish to be, with a stronger sense of safety.

I work with those who are courageously facing pain and trauma in their lives. Perhaps you wonder if you can look at your own experiences... Maybe you fear being overwhelmed if you dare look. You may be thinking anxiety will overwhelm you. It need not be this way. Allow me to journey with you as you explore the questions tugging at you. You need not face them alone. Support is here; it is real. You CAN face these challenges, and you need not face them alone in the silence of your heart. Reach out now for the support you deserve.

We all experience hardships in our personal lives, professional lives and relationships that can leave us feeling stressed, confused, isolated, anxious or depressed. Many people experience shame about seeing a therapist or feel they should handle emotional or mental issues on their own. I want to reassure you that we can all use a little help sometimes and we aren't meant to go through it alone. My goal in therapy is to create a safe space where my clients can work through the difficulties in life without judgment.

Life is hard enough without having to go through it alone. No matter who you are or where you are from, my greatest wish for you at the outset is for you to recognize that we all have complications — we all need growth and healing. As we embrace these realities, we also learn to embrace all of the parts of ourselves, including those that most need our attention and affection Make no mistake, the path to growth can be difficult. It involves equal parts frustration and exploration, and even a good dose of humor! But when we face ourselves, we may also find that the outcome is beautiful, rewarding, and even enchanting.

Are you just f-ing tired? A car accident left you emotionally paralyzed. An assault shook up your life. A recent medical diagnosis or crisis has you questioning what's next. All the "why" questions are flying through your head and the constant noise is driving you nuts. You want things to make sense. You want to feel like yourself again. Most of all, you want to go back in time to the thing that changed your body and do everything in your power to prevent in from happening. The problem is, no one prepared you for this and no one really understands how to help.

Therapy is the experience of reflecting on our stories, finding authorship in them, and making edits along the way. You deserve a space to feel heard and to share those stories without judgment, reclaim the power in those stories, and to allow yourself space to heal. As a therapist, I provide a compassionate, playful space for clients wanting to understand the impacts of their relationships, navigating stressors and life changes, and exploring trauma (including sexual abuse). My aim is to create a comfortable space where you can allow yourself to be vulnerable and unapologetically yourself.

My Ideal client is you! I work well with varies populations to ensure understanding, empathy and process in all my sessions.

I am a certified EMDR therapist specialize in treating trauma and PTSD + c-PTSD for women and LGBTQ+ folks. Utilizing ERP & I-CBT, I work with clients to get their life back from OCD. I have been working directly with clients for over 14 years. In particular, I work with people who have experienced traumas that have historically not been seen, like oppression, attachment trauma, burnout, intergenerational trauma, sexual assault, religious trauma, emotional abuse, discrimination, and living in a colonized and capitalist society.

I work with people of diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and cultures. I would love to work with you, not only to help you resolve the situations which brought you to counseling, but also to help you grow more into who you actually are. I utilize EMDR and DBT to help both teens and adults with life transitions, identity issues, abuse recovery, sex addictions, and life skills. I bring a balance to my counseling sessions. Clients can expect me to be honest and forward focused, while creating a space that feels at ease and judgment free. Please call to see if my services might be a fit for your needs.

Please email all inquiries! Are you looking for a more authentic, relational experience with a counselor? Looking to deep dive into your mental health? We are a group private practice striving to provide a genuine, open, and trusting experience with in-depth therapeutic work. We work closely with my clients to achieve their goals while also encouraging them to challenge themselves to grow. We believe that healing occurs with the right support and validation, genuine connection with others, and unconditional acceptance. It's important to bring ourselves as we are to therapy with our full range of emotions (anger, sadness, and humor!)

Using evidence-based techniques, I will help you look for patterns in your thinking or actions that may be causing problems, often rooted in trauma. I will help you establish healthier relationships, develop better coping skills, set boundaries and aid your ability to connect to your body & emotions while learning to regulate them effectively. Using a warm, genuine and goal-focused approach, you can be assured that whatever issue you have come to therapy to address, I will work to gently, but firmly encourage you to help resolve it. I emphasize praise and rewards for achievements, relying on your strengths as motivators for change.

I have several years of experience and training in the field of sex addiction and betrayal trauma and am currently a Certified Sex Addiction Specialist (CSAT) through International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP).

I am an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator Supervisor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in working with individuals of all abilities in areas of sexuality, gender identity, relationship building, intimacy, communication and trauma.

Waitlisting clients as of April 2023. - If you are like me, you have procrastinated this decision to seek counseling for some time, and you are steadily nearing desperation. Entering into therapy is difficult - it is important to find a therapist with whom you connect. I provide a free phone consultation and a half price first session, so we can decide if we are a good fit. I work best with clients who are motivated to begin the explorative process towards healing. I seek to honor the vulnerability required to make changes in one's life by listening without judgment and growing to understand the individual's experiences.

I am honored that my clients share their deepest secrets with me every day. I am grateful for the trust they place in me and I value their need for confidentiality. I make an effort to listen to my clients and hear what they say to learn what they need to grow. Every client is a person who is much greater than their problem behavior or diagnosis. While I have extensive training in treating trauma and sexual behavior problems, I also have experience and training in treating other mental health problems such as: Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, ADHD, and chemical as well as process addictions.