Sexual Abuse Therapists in Charlottesville, VA

I offer individual therapy for adults and adolescents, and specialize in working with women and teens dealing with the impact of sexual assault , childhood abuse, or other trauma. Other areas of clinical interest include relationship issues, life transitions, anxiety, and identity questions. I believe therapy is a collaborative process that allows us to be deeply seen and heard, and to see ourselves in new and transformative ways. It can build self-esteem and strengthen our sense of who we are and how we fit into the world. As we understand ourselves more fully, relationships with others become richer and more fulfilling. Therapy can strengthen our ability to adapt and adjust to the changing circumstances of our lives, freeing us up to respond more flexibly to the world around us and to experience a more enlivened way of being. For trauma survivors who experience overwhelming waves of shame and fear, a lurking sense of unease, or confusing physical sensations, therapy can help calm the mind and the nervous system, allowing you to move from reliving the past to feeling grounded, present, and whole in mind and body.

Thank you so much for making the choice to seek out therapy! At its core, therapy is deeply rooted in feeling seen and safe, and in identifying new patterns and skills to utilize in the present and in the future. I have primarily worked with complex developmental and acute trauma, survivors of sexual assault , PTSD, and adjusting to life changes. I also love working with college-aged individuals and adults with ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and career-related changes. I am a certified EMDR therapist and work diligently to create a safe and stable space for clients of all races, ethnicities, faiths, sexual orientations, and genders.

Kendall is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Empower Wellness who has experience providing individual, group, and family therapy services. As a therapist, Kendall has past experience primarily working with individuals experiencing eating disorders, this including but not limited to individuals also experiencing: sexual assault , domestic violence, anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief/loss, substance use disorders, and other mental diagnoses. Kendall strives to help clients gain insight, process their emotions, and improve their lives by obtaining the goals set out by the client at the beginning of treatment.

Everyone struggles from time to time - what's important is how we respond to the struggle. I believe struggle turns to suffering when we refuse to accept what we cannot change or when we passively accept what can be changed. In my practice I help people learn to avoid suffering by changing the things they can and accepting the things they can't change. Using a variety of skills and techniques, I help people learn how to thrive - even in the face of struggle - while being true to themselves and effective in their interactions with others.

Are you struggling with memories of trauma or current stressors that make it difficult for you to relax or connect with others? I value evidence-based practice, treatments that have shown to be effective at improving symptoms and enhancing quality of life. I believe that a successful therapy experience is growth-oriented, with clients gaining new perspectives and developing new coping strategies to thrive.