In-Person Sessions in Long Beach & Virtual Throughout California

A Safe, Contained Space to Heal After Sexual Abuse or Trauma

If you are an adult survivor of sexual abuse, assault, or relational sexual trauma, therapy offers a quiet, highly contained space to process experiences that may have long felt unspeakable, isolating, or overwhelming.

Sexual trauma uniquely impacts how you inhabit your body and navigate physical and emotional safety. It can alter your relationship with yourself—disrupting your sense of autonomy, bodily integrity, self-worth, and emotional regulation. In our work together, we move at a pace determined entirely by you, prioritizing safety and stabilization as we address how past trauma continues to show up in your present life.

How Sexual Trauma Manifests in Daily Life & Body

You may recognize yourself if you experience:

• Somatic hypervigilance or numbness: Feeling constantly on guard in your physical environment, or feeling disconnected from your body

• Intimacy & physical boundary challenges: Experiencing distress, fear, or emotional shutdown during physical closeness or sexual touch.

• Dissociation during vulnerability: Feeling yourself "checking out," floating away, or going blank when situations feel intense or overwhelming

• Internalized shame or self-blame: Carrying persistent guilt, body shame, or a false belief that you are somehow "damaged" or responsible for what happened to you.

• Intrusive body memories or flashbacks: Unexpected sensory triggers, vivid memories, or sudden spikes in physical anxiety without a clear conscious trigger.

• Difficulty trusting your physical instincts: Second-guessing your boundaries or feeling unsure of your right to say no.

Understanding the Somatic & Relational Impact

Trauma isn't just a memory stored in the mind; it is a physiological response held in the nervous system. When bodily boundaries are violated, the natural impulse to protect oneself can get frozen in time.

In adult life, this can make physical intimacy, medical exams, or even setting basic physical boundaries feel dysregulating. Psychodynamic therapy respects these defense mechanisms as adaptive strategies your mind and body created to protect you. Rather than pushing past your comfort zone, we work to gradually restore your sense of physical safety, body ownership, and emotional agency.

My Clinical Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma

Psychodynamic trauma therapy provides a steady, attunement-focused environment where your story is met with deep care and clinical containment. Our work involves:

• Pacing & Stabilization First: Establishing ground rules for safety so therapy never feels overwhelming or re-traumatizing.

• Reconnecting with Somatic Awareness: Helping you safely track bodily sensations, recognize boundary violations, and rebuild trust in your physical intuition.

• Unpacking Trauma-Based Shame: Gently identifying and dismantling self-blame, guilt, and internalized beliefs about worthiness.

• Reclaiming Agency & Boundaries: Practicing what it feels like to hold authority over your body, choices, and voice.

FAQs for Adult Survivors of Sexual Trauma

Q: How long does therapy for sexual trauma take?

A: This is a tricky question because healing takes time. Some clients work with me for a few months, while others remain in treatment for several years. The length of therapy depends on many factors, including a client’s goals, life experiences, motivation, therapeutic pace, and current phase of life.

I don’t have a crystal ball that can predict exactly how long someone will be in treatment. What I can offer is openness and transparency. When clients ask questions like, “Should I decrease session frequency?” or “Is it okay to take a break and return on a case-by-case basis?” I provide thoughtful clinical feedback so we can make those decisions collaboratively.

Q: Will I have to describe the details of my trauma in therapy?

A: No. You are never required to share every detail of your past in order to heal. In fact, many of my clients don’t—sometimes because they don’t fully remember what happened, and other times because revisiting certain experiences feels too painful or overwhelming.

Together, we move at a pace that feels right for you. Rather than forcing you to revisit experiences before you’re ready, we can focus on understanding how the past may still be affecting you today and helping you feel more grounded, connected, and secure in yourself.

Q: Is psychodynamic therapy effective for sexual trauma?

A: Yes. Psychodynamic therapy offers a deep, relational framework that helps process the unconscious defenses, somatic responses, and boundary disruptions left behind by trauma, fostering long-term emotional integration rather than short-term symptom management.

Q: Can I work on both trauma and relationship difficulties at the same time?

A: Absolutely — I get this question all the time. I like to explain healing as peeling back layers of an onion. As we explore one area of your life, other layers naturally emerge. This isn’t a bad thing; in fact, it can help us see how different experiences are connected.

Often, relational challenges are influenced by past trauma, including sexual trauma, and vice versa. Addressing both together doesn’t overwhelm clients — it helps bring inner peace, deeper self-awareness, and a clearer understanding of how patterns in your relationships are shaped by past experiences.

In-Person and Online Sexual Trauma Therapy in Long Beach

If you are an adult survivor of sexual trauma, reaching out for therapy is a brave first step. You can schedule a consultation online or contact me directly. Together, we’ll explore how therapy can support your journey toward safety and emotional healing.