Sexual assault counseling helps victims deal with psychological responses to assault, and can last for weeks, months, or years. It can be conducted individually or in groups, and can also include counseling for romantic partners.
Sexual assault counseling is often recommended for any person who has been the victim of a sexual assault. This type of counseling can begin immediately after an assault, or even years after rape, harassment, or sexual abuse has occurred. The primary focus of sexual assault counseling is to help the victim deal with the wide variety of psychological responses to a sexual assault, as well as provide counseling to romantic partners or relatives of an assault victim.
There are many common problems that an assault victim may experience. After the shock of the incident wears off, victims may be confronted with feelings of anger, shame, fear, and even denial. Because not all people will experience the same feelings in the same order, sexual assault counseling provides the victim with a counselor who is willing to help with her specific feelings, thoughts, and concerns. Self-image issues, fear of another attack, inability to engage in sexual contact, or relationship problems caused by an assault can be safely discussed in sexual assault counseling.
The psychological healing process following a sexual assault can take different paths. Just as each person experiences different emotional journeys, the time frame for healing can be very different for different people. Sexual assault counseling can last for weeks, months or years, depending on what the individual survivor needs. Initial counseling can help deal with the shock of the assault, initial emotional reactions, and dealing with issues such as making a report and talking to the police. Long-term sexual assault counseling can shift focus to addressing the effects of trauma on mindset and lifestyle.
Counseling sessions can be conducted individually or in group settings. For first-time sexual assault counselors, many experts recommend at least a few private sessions to assess current concerns and help develop a plan to manage or treat them. Group sessions can be recommended as a means of connecting with other assault survivors. Meeting in a group with a counselor can help reduce feelings of isolation or shame by helping survivors with similar worries, fears, and anger identify with one another.
For those in a romantic relationship who are suffering in the aftermath of the assault, sexual assault counseling may be recommended for both partners. It is very easy for the partner of an assault survivor to feel rejected, guilty, and even self-loathing for wanting a return to a normal relationship. Partner counseling focuses on what they can do to establish a safe place for their significant other and helps them deal with their own emotional issues following an assault from a loved one. In some cases, couples counseling may be a good way to help a relationship survive an assault, while in others, individual counseling sessions for each partner may be more helpful.
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