Rape Response Services: 1-800-310-0000

 

Approaches To Healing

Healing from the effects of sexual trauma is possible, and you may want to explore many different healing practices along your journey. Seeking the help of a specially trained sexual abuse counselor is one of many ways to heal from the effects of childhood sexual abuse or sexual assault. Counseling can help you to manage the impact the trauma has in your life. There are other ways to heal that can be useful as well. You may want to try:

                     

 

      Learning and practicing good self care (exercising, eating well,

    getting enough sleep, and doing things that are fun or pleasurable)       

 

 

 

Reading books about sexual abuse and healing...

Click here for a list of recommended books.

 

Listening to audio or video tapes that are designed to increase your self-esteem or belief in your own potential or worth

 

    

 

Being creative. Painting and sculpting can be ways of working through and 

                  expressing emotions and of gaining insight and self-awareness

          

                       

   Seeking the support of caring friends or family members

 

       

   Writing in a journal (this can be a great outlet for emotions and can  

                 increase self-awareness and understanding)

 

 

 

Developing and following a regular spiritual practice

(Yoga, meditation,daily prayer, whatever fits your beliefs)

 

 

Give yourself permission to do nothing- there may be times when the healthiest thing you can do is nothing- put the healing on hold and lay low. Time outs can be just as legitimate as active steps.

                       In times of emotional crisis or upset, ask for help.

     Call the Rape Response Services 24 hour crisis line (1-800-310-0000)

        or look in the front of your phone book for a crisis line in your area.

                      You are encouraged to do what works best for you.

      Remember... you are in charge of your own healing process.

 

For other ideas, please visit these websites:

How to Play Creatively with Sidewalk Chalk Art!

The Healing Power of Scrapbooking

Poetry

Artwork By and For Survivors of Child Abuse

Song Lyrics by or about Abuse Survivors

tline to talk to someone who will listen.

Our relationship with ourselves is the most important relationship we need to maintain. The quality of that relationship will determine the quality of our other relationships. When we can tell ourselves how *we* feel, and accept our feelings, we can tell others. When we can accept what we want and need, we will be ready to have our wants and needs met. When we learn to take ourselves seriously, others will too. When we learn to chuckle at ourselves, we will be ready to laugh with others. When we have learned to trust ourselves, we will be trustworthy and ready to trust. When we can be grateful for who we are, we will have achieved self-love. When we have achieved self-love and accepting our wants and needs, we will be ready to give and receive love. When we've learned to stand on our own two feet, we're ready to stand next to someone.

Meditation: Today, I will focus on having a good relationship with myself.

--Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go