Trauma-informed therapy is a type of counseling that focuses on understanding how past experiences of trauma can affect an individual's behavior, thoughts, and emotions in the present day. Trauma-informed therapists work to create a safe space for their clients to explore and process any unresolved traumatic events from their past so they can move forward with healing. This approach has been found to be especially helpful for those who have experienced sexual violence because it allows them to reclaim their sense of power and control over their bodies. In this article, I will discuss how trauma-informed therapies help survivors of sexual violence reclaim sexual agency.
The term "sexual agency" refers to an individual's ability to make informed choices about their own sexual health and wellbeing without coercion or pressure from others. When someone has experienced sexual assault or abuse, they may feel like they no longer have control over their own body or desires. They may feel ashamed, disempowered, or even fearful around sex and intimacy. Trauma-informed therapy helps survivors rebuild trust in themselves and regain confidence in their ability to make decisions regarding their sexuality.
One way that trauma-informed therapies can help survivors reclaim sexual agency is by helping them identify patterns of thought and behavior related to sexuality that were formed as a result of the trauma.
If someone was told by their attacker that they were dirty or shameful after being assaulted, they might internalize these beliefs and begin to view themselves as damaged goods. A trauma-informed therapist would help the client challenge these negative messages and recognize that their worth is not tied to what happened to them.
Another way trauma-informed therapy can help survivors regain sexual agency is by providing education on healthy sexual boundaries. Many people who experience sexual violence may struggle with understanding what consent means or what healthy relationships look like. This lack of knowledge can lead to further feelings of confusion and powerlessness when it comes to sex. In a safe and supportive environment, a therapist can teach clients about communication, negotiation, and setting limits so that they feel empowered to make choices that are best for them without fear or anxiety.
Trauma-informed therapy can also help survivors learn how to express their needs and desires in a healthy way. Survivors often have difficulty communicating their wants and needs due to past experiences where their voices were dismissed or ignored. Through therapy, they can learn how to assert themselves without feeling guilty or ashamed. By practicing this new skillset, they can begin to reconnect with their body and rediscover pleasure again.
Trauma-informed therapies provide a unique opportunity for survivors of sexual violence to reclaim control over their bodies and sexuality. By helping them identify patterns formed from the trauma, educate on healthy boundaries, and practice self-advocacy skills, these therapies allow survivors to take back ownership over their lives.
How do trauma-informed therapies help survivors of sexual violence reclaim sexual agency?
Trauma-informed therapy may help survivors of sexual violence reclaim their sexual agency by focusing on healing from past trauma and developing healthy boundaries and communication skills for future relationships. The goal is not just to regain control over their bodies but also to feel comfortable with themselves again after experiencing sexual abuse and other forms of trauma that impact self-esteem and self-image.