Photo of Catherine Fatina, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in New Hampshire
Catherine Fatina
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, SEP
Verified Verified
Portsmouth, NH 03801
I love my work and am in awe of the individuals I work with who courageously address the hurts in their life that prevent them from living more fully. It maybe a crisis in a relationship, ongoing anxiety or depression, a painful trauma, or an inner sense that things are just not right. Together we pay attention to these feelings, enabling them to be talked about, more fully experienced and then understood. This transformative process can restore joy and resilience in life, as well as improve the capacity to care about oneself and be in relationship with others.
I love my work and am in awe of the individuals I work with who courageously address the hurts in their life that prevent them from living more fully. It maybe a crisis in a relationship, ongoing anxiety or depression, a painful trauma, or an inner sense that things are just not right. Together we pay attention to these feelings, enabling them to be talked about, more fully experienced and then understood. This transformative process can restore joy and resilience in life, as well as improve the capacity to care about oneself and be in relationship with others.
(603) 819-4214 View (603) 819-4214
Photo of Meg Pilling, Psy.D., LLC, Psychologist in New Hampshire
Meg Pilling, Psy.D., LLC
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Hopkinton, NH 03229
Dr. Meg is a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, emerging adults, and families. She has expertise treating interpersonal trauma using relational and psychodynamic frameworks. She offers individual, group, and family psychotherapy, as well as consultation, training, and supervision. Dr. Meg is able to provide teletherapy and assessment services to clients in PSYPACT states.
Dr. Meg is a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, emerging adults, and families. She has expertise treating interpersonal trauma using relational and psychodynamic frameworks. She offers individual, group, and family psychotherapy, as well as consultation, training, and supervision. Dr. Meg is able to provide teletherapy and assessment services to clients in PSYPACT states.
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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.