Sexual Abuse Therapists in York, Bellingham, WA
Life can take us on an unexpected journey. Sometimes it brings an exciting adventure, and other times it leaves us feeling anxious and out of control. Do you find yourself wishing you could get "back to normal" or wondering how to cope? Many of my clients seek therapy because they want to feel like themselves again. Trauma, loss, and other life transitions are painful, but difficult experiences don't define who you are. We all have the inner capacity for healing and growth.
Life can take us on an unexpected journey. Sometimes it brings an exciting adventure, and other times it leaves us feeling anxious and out of control. Do you find yourself wishing you could get "back to normal" or wondering how to cope? Many of my clients seek therapy because they want to feel like themselves again. Trauma, loss, and other life transitions are painful, but difficult experiences don't define who you are. We all have the inner capacity for healing and growth.
I specialize in the successful treatment of childhood trauma, PTSD and Complex PTSD. My approach is primarily somatic work, and behaviorism, utilizing the knowledge of the subconscious to end those problems and repeating patterns for good. Achieving women, motivated, intuitive and intelligent are drawn to the work because they are ready to move beyond the mental and emotional limitations that have kept them struggling in lower frequencies of torment. I treat the multidimensional human system: spirit, energy fields, intuition, emotions, body, and subconscious mind.
I specialize in the successful treatment of childhood trauma, PTSD and Complex PTSD. My approach is primarily somatic work, and behaviorism, utilizing the knowledge of the subconscious to end those problems and repeating patterns for good. Achieving women, motivated, intuitive and intelligent are drawn to the work because they are ready to move beyond the mental and emotional limitations that have kept them struggling in lower frequencies of torment. I treat the multidimensional human system: spirit, energy fields, intuition, emotions, body, and subconscious mind.
Marlene Bowman Sexton
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
York, Bellingham, WA 98226
Feeling better about yourself, your life and others around you are all big steps toward getting healthier. Helping patients get past life-disrupting issues and get back on track to living happier, more fulfilling lives.
Feeling better about yourself, your life and others around you are all big steps toward getting healthier. Helping patients get past life-disrupting issues and get back on track to living happier, more fulfilling lives.
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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.