Healing From Date Rape and Acquaintance Rape
Date rape or acquaintance rape can be terrifying and confusing. The emotions can seem overwhelming. It can be hard to trust anyone afterwards.
Whether it was a friend, date, romantic partner, spouse, or relative, rape and all types of sexual assault can be very traumatic.
Healing is possible! You can heal from the trauma and enjoy life again.
Betrayal of Date Rape
The betrayal can be so difficult. It makes it hard to trust anyone. For some people, the betrayal was one of the worst parts of the rape, but of course, everyone is different.
Being hurt by someone you trusted often affects your current and future relationships. Resolving the trauma can help you have healthy, trusting relationships.
Doubting Oneself
It's also normal to doubt one's own intuition and judgment. These thoughts can be processed, so that you feel comfortable trusting yourself again.
It was not your fault. Even if you made mistakes or would do something different in the future, it still was not your fault.
Sexuality After Rape
Years after the rape, survivors can be triggered when trying to be sexual with a caring partner, which can be very frustrating and scary. Unresolved sexual trauma can get triggered by sex or intimacy. Resolving the rape trauma can help the past stay in the past, so that you can enjoy a fulfilling sexual relationship, if you choose.
Setting the Pace in Therapy
It's important for rape survivors to know that they have choices in therapy. A therapist should never push you to talk about trauma that you are not ready to talk about.
I do make sure that people have good coping tools before starting trauma work. If someone does not have coping strategies, I teach coping tools first.
EMDR Therapy and Other Approaches to Healing
I tend to use EMDR therapy most often. I blend EMDR therapy with mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy.
My Other Pages about Healing From Trauma
Healing from Sexual Abuse (my blog post about healing from sexual abuse/assault)
Healing from Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault (my webpage about healing from sexual abuse/assault)
Healing from PTSD (my website about healing from post-traumatic stress disorder)
Healing from Trauma - webpage (my webpage about healing from all types of trauma)
Healing from Trauma (my blog posts about healing from trauma)
Therapy Office in Sunnyvale
My office is in Sunnyvale, California on Wolfe Rd., near El Camino Real (also close to Santa Clara, Cupertino, and Mountain View). Parking is easy; there is a large parking lot.
1021 S. Wolfe Rd., Suite 255
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Directions to Sunnyvale Therapy Office
About Me
I am a therapist/counselor in Sunnyvale, California. I primarily work with individual adults. (LMFT Lic. # LMFT40414)
Please visit my therapy home page for more information about me.
To Schedule an Appointment or Ask Questions
Call me or email me at stacy@stacyoleary.com to ask any questions you have or set up an appointment. You can also schedule a free phone consultation with me.