Therapy For Survivors
*Stock photos used to honor, love and protect those we serve*
We asked our partnered counselor to share some insight into the importance of therapy for CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) survivors.
She says, "Therapy for victims of sexual trafficking is multifaceted, largely as the issues for the victims are so multi-layered. There are (so very often) risk/protective factors for those falling victim to trafficking, and as such, healing for many of these victims requires peeling back layer after layer of pain, fear, shame, stress and hopelessness. My overall goal is to restore hope to these precious kids, and for them to come to believe they are known, seen, heard and valued because of their Creator, and everything they have experienced is completely redeemable by Him.
Below you’ll find evidenced-based techniques I use with almost all of my clients who have experienced trauma, and especially those experiencing sexual trauma:
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and TFCBT (Trauma Focused CBT)
Combines cognitive therapy with behavioral interventions such as exposure therapy, thought stopping, or breathing techniques.
We spend a lot of time learning to connect our thoughts to our physical reactions (they have the reaction, they just don't always make the connection) and then learn to self-regulate when those reactions happen, so that ultimately they can challenge unhealthy thought patterns. CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. Most of these kids experience significant PTSD symptoms, and learning to calm their physical reactions is paramount to ultimately coming to believe what is true about them.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing
EMDR is based on the theory that difficult memories contribute to post-traumatic stress when they are not processed. Consequently, sights, sounds, words and smells can be triggering. When this happens, the memory is experienced all over again. Ultimately we want them to remember without reliving it. This is distressing, and ultimately leads to PTSD. Often a client is unable to access the most disturbing memories through talk therapy, but they experience those memories physically. Through EMDR, talking about the trauma is minimal. "EMDR aims to reduce symptoms of trauma by changing how your memories are stored in your brain. In a nutshell, an EMDR therapist does this by leading you through a series of bilateral (side-to-side) eye movements as you recall traumatic or triggering experiences in small segments, until those memories no longer cause distress."(EMDRIA)
Exposure Therapy
Aims to reduce anxiety and fear through confrontation of thoughts (imaginal exposure) or actual situations (in vivo exposure) related to the trauma. Some examples used within this modality might be to learn to sleep with the lights off, or sit with your back to the doorway (seems simple enough for someone not experiencing profound, complex trauma, but it can be profoundly triggering for the trauma victim.)
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
TBRI is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI uses Empowering Principles to address physical and environmental needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs and engagement, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. Most of the victims we serve have deep attachment wounds, and significant difficulty trusting anyone. Hesitancies to trust often relate to a fear of retaliation from an abuser, fear of exposing family secrets, and feelings of intense shame and guilt.
Warmly,
Your Partnered Counselor “D”
We are so thankful for our partners like “D” who work closely with the kids to help them take the steps toward healing and restoration!