Therapy for Sexual Trauma and Nonconsensual Experiences

If it ‘wasn’t that bad,’ why does it still bother me so much?

You’ve worked so hard to build the life you’ve always wanted - successful career, meaningful relationships, and a future you can be proud of. But despite all your achievements, something still doesn’t feel right. The past, even if it seems distant, lingers in ways you can’t always put into words.

Whether you’ve experienced sexual assault, unclear consent, or a situation where you were too drunk or incapacitated to give clear consent, the aftermath can be confusing, disorienting, and painful. What started as a night out or a seemingly innocent encounter has left you with emotional scars that you can’t seem to shake.

You may feel like:

  • You can’t trust your own memories or decisions about what happened, leaving you in a constant state of doubt.

  • You feel disconnected from your body, like it’s no longer fully yours to control, or that it’s holding onto something that you can’t get rid of.

  • You experience anxiety, shame, or guilt, even though deep down you know you weren’t at fault.

  • You struggle to understand what consent really means for you, and you fear you’ll never fully heal from the confusion.

  • You’re hyper-aware of your surroundings, feeling on edge or unsafe, even when nothing is threatening you.

You’ve tried to move forward, but it feels like the trauma follows you, sometimes showing up in ways you don’t understand. The pain of having your consent disregarded, or not fully understanding what happened, can be heavy. You’re not alone in this experience, and it’s possible to heal and regain control over your body and life.

What Therapy With Me Looks Like

In our sessions, we will work together to make sense of what happened and how it’s impacting you today - without pushing you to relive traumatic moments unless and until you feel ready.

Therapy is a place for you to explore the complex feelings around nonconsent or unclear consent, to give yourself permission to feel what you feel, and to begin untangling the emotional weight you’re carrying.

I know that these experiences are often complicated and involve a lot of confusion, self-blame, and feelings of guilt. Here, we’ll take things at a pace that feels right for you.

We’ll focus on:

  • Understanding the lasting emotional and physical effects of nonconsent or sexual assault, especially when alcohol or incapacitation was involved.

  • Reframing feelings of shame and self-blame, helping you recognize that you are not responsible for someone else’s actions.

  • Addressing your relationship with your body, so that you can reconnect with it in a healthy and empowered way.

  • Building emotional resilience and self-trust, allowing you to navigate your feelings and reactions with more confidence.

  • Exploring how trauma impacts your relationships, trust, and boundaries, and how to heal and set clearer boundaries moving forward.

This isn’t about rushing through the process or forcing a specific timeline. It’s about taking the time to understand your feelings, to rebuild trust in yourself, and to start reclaiming your life from the impact of trauma. You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin; we’ll work through it together at a pace that feels safe for you.

What Your Life Can Look Like After Therapy

Healing from nonconsensual experiences, especially those involving alcohol or unclear consent, is complex, but it is absolutely possible.

As you work through this process, you’ll notice subtle yet powerful changes. You’ll begin to:

  • Feel more grounded and connected to your body, no longer feeling like you’re carrying someone else’s trauma.

  • Reclaim your sense of safety in your own body, learning to trust it again and make choices based on what you need—not out of fear or guilt.

  • Let go of the shame and self-blame that has followed you, understanding that the responsibility for what happened lies with the person who violated your consent.

  • Set and maintain clearer, healthier boundaries in your relationships, without feeling like you have to overcompensate or protect yourself at all costs.

  • Experience deeper intimacy and connection in your relationships, both romantic and platonic, where trust is built on mutual respect and clarity.

As we work together, you’ll learn how to navigate the world with more confidence, less fear, and an increased sense of self-worth. This journey isn’t about erasing the trauma, but rather learning how to live with it in a way that no longer defines or limits you. You’ll begin to make decisions that align with your values, not just reactions to past trauma.

P.S. Reaching out for therapy isn’t about admitting something is “wrong” with you. It’s about taking the first step toward healing and understanding that what you’ve experienced doesn’t have to dictate your future. You deserve to feel safe, empowered, and connected to your body again - and therapy is a space where we can work together to make that happen, on your terms and at your pace.

Let’s chat - I’d love to help.

Interested in working together? Book a free consultation call below and I’ll give you a call at the time you select!