Stigma attached to seeking counselling/psychotherapy
What are the difficulties in seeking counselling treatment for sexual abuse survivors?
There are a number of different sexual abuse issues that are related to seeking counselling treatment. Each and every individual client can feel and think differently according to the issues of sexual abuse they are facing and having to deal with on a day to day basis. It is important to consider the many ways that sexual and long term sexual abuse can impact on each individual client. For example self-blame, self-perception, trust issues, relationships, self-confidence and self-esteem, boundaries due to these negative issues that can affect each client differently
If the child is sexually abused by a family member, or someone very close to the family, it can be even more difficult to reach out and seek counselling treatment due to difficulties faced. An adolescent or adult, who is sexually assaulted, can experience a completely different and unique set of responses and perceptions.
Some of the effects that we have seen include: panic attacks nightmares, strong sense of paranoia and generalized fear, physical damage to the client, body crying spells, self-blame, guilt and shame, problems with intimacy, profound impact on trust, significant problems with loved ones following the assault.
There is an overall lack of community awareness in our society for victims of sexual and long term sexual abuse. It is complex for members in the community to understand the social and psychological effects for individual clients. It is vital to recognise that Sexual assault affects not only the victim, but the loved ones and family of the survivor, as well as the community. Family members and friends many times not only have to help their loved one manage the aftereffects of the assault but also have to deal with their own feelings about the victimization of someone they care about. Those that live with the survivor may become concerned about their security and may have similar feelings and responses as those the survivor experiences. Family members in some communities can find support groups for loved ones of those who have been victims of sexual assault. The immediate neighbourhood as well may be affected by the victimization of their neighbour and become more concerned about their personal safety.
There are important factors to consider when supporting and assisting the individual survivor.
To be able to listen without judging, Let them know the assault was not their fault; Let them know they did what was necessary to prevent further harm; Reassure the survivor that he or she is cared for and loved; Encourage the sexual assault victim to seek medical attention; and to Encourage the survivor to talk about the assault with an advocate, mental health professional or someone they trust.
Stigma attached to seeking counselling/psychotherapy
here are many stigmas attached to seeking counselling/psychotherapy. Each client faces challenging issues that most of us face as challenges in our lifetime that cause anxiety, depression and/or self-doubt that negatively impact some aspect of our life such as work or our relationships. There still seems to be an underlying assumption that a person is “weak” if they admit these feelings or seek help when one feels overwhelmed or unsure of what direction to take in life or how to solve a problem. Many individuals seek answers from family and friends, but when the support network is unable to provide the assistance or guidance necessary, the person feels alone, isolated and confused.
Issues suffered by sexual abuse survivors
• Shock/Denial
• Irritability/anger
• Anxiety
• Complex PTSD
• Psychosis
• Dissociation
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Interpersonal and parenting difficulties
• Memory impairment
• Personality disorder
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Victimization
• Self-blame
• Self-harm and suicidal behaviour
• Sexual difficulties
• Substance abuse
• Self-blame issues
• Guilty feelings associated
• Fear
• Suicidal thoughts
• Helplessness
• Social withdrawal
• Numbing/apathy (detachment, loss of caring)
• Restricted affect (reduced ability to express emotions)
• Nightmares/flashbacks
• Difficulty concentrating
• Diminished interest in activities or sex
• Loss of self-esteem
• Loss of security/loss of trust in others
• Guilt/shame/embarrassment
• Loss of appetite
Online counselling is an alternative to face to face counselling/psychotherapy
Online Counselling can be safer than speaking for some individual clients. Some clients feel it is easier to communicate by text based communication or email as an alternative to face to face counselling. Some clients can explore some of their feelings and thoughts by writing which may be
An easier alterative than speaking and the anonymity of the internet seems to be helpful for clients. Some clients may respond and open up easier using a less confronting approach without observations from the counsellor directly using face to face counselling.
The online counselling method which writing as a therapeutic process writing about your own feelings can also separate thoughts out, making them safer to deal and easier to deal within a smaller amount of words written as oppose to communication in sentences form face to face. The action of putting thoughts into words via the computer keyboard is a powerful step towards standing back and examining things more closely, from a new perspective. You can also read and re read your feelings and thoughts and keep a copy of your online counselling sessions
Some individual clients find writing to be an easier format than talking out your feelings and thoughts in a comfortable and less challenging way to write about your issues. Another issue that can be seen to some clients is that the counselling relationship is equal and some clients find an online counsellor is to be less of an authority figure than they expected and this allows them to take an equal share of responsibility for the work.
Other difficulties might be experienced for the client is term of being homebound, having a particular disability, loving in a rural or remote area having less access to counselling services.
