Sex Industry Workers
People who work in the sex industry can face stigma against their occupation, which can lead to discrimination, harrasment, maltreatment, or victimization. If you work in the sex industry and are looking for counselling that is sex worker affirmative and non-judgmental, Insight offers services that can help you.
Sex Industry Worker Issues
- Dealing with occupational stigma
- Minority stress
- Compassion fatigue and burnout
- Trauma & abuse
- Violence in the workplace
When is it time to get help?
If you’ve experienced traumatic events while working, have prolonged periods of sadness, high levels of fears and worries, a growing inability to cope with daily problems, or having a hard time dealing with stigma & discrimination, it may be time to get help. Insight is here to help you with any issues you may be experiencing, whether it is related to your work or not.
Treatment Methods
As for treatment methods, any type of therapeutic approach can be used, as many people come to counseling for many different reasons- sex workers are no different. Listed below are some practices that our therapists tend to place extra focus on when working with clients who work in the sex industry.
- Sex worker affirmative practice
Affirmative practice is an approach to therapy where therapists recognize, validate, and support the identity stated or expressed by the client. It requires the therapist to actively honor the client’s identity while simultaneously validating the oppression felt by the client. Using sex worker affirmative practices is of extreme importance for our therapists. By engaging in affirmative practices, we create a safe and supportive space for sex workers to share their experiences and access the services they need and want – ultimately improving safety, health, and wellness outcomes.
The belief in person centered therapy is that while therapists have expertise in many areas, the client is the expert on themselves and their lived experiences. This humanistic approach believes that people are trustworthy, and have a vast capability for understanding themselves and to be able to resolve their own problems when given the proper guidance.
- Trauma aware practices
Trauma informed practice means that therapists integrate an understanding of past and current trauma in order to avoid re-traumatizing the client. This means that our therapists understand the wide range of responses that can occur to cope with trauma.
What will I get out of treatment with Insight Psychological?
Insight can help you overcome your mental health obstacles and help you learn how to deal with trauma, stigma, minority stress, and many other issues.
Our therapists here at Insight strive to create a non-judgemental environment. Our goal is to support you and help you along your mental health journey, whether it is related to work or not. We don’t see sex work as the sole reason behind mental health issues, but rather as just a part of what makes you who you are.
Confidentiality must also be maintained by our therapists, meaning that you never have to worry about sharing your experiences if you engage in sex work that is not legal. Confidentiality creates a safe environment to open up about your lived experiences without fear of judgment or legal repercussions. This confidentiality can only be broken when issues arise regarding child abuse, elder abuse, or forseeable harm to yourself or others.
Insight offers in-person, online, or telephone counseling. Contact us to learn more or book an appointment.
