Sexual Assault and Abuse

When is it time to get help?

Trauma from sexual abuse or assault can show up in many ways. In some cases, the effects are immediate, resulting in PTSD, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. In other cases, the sexual abuse or assault that took places years ago can still be impacting your mental health today.  If you are experiencing the symptoms and signs of trauma as a result of sexual abuse, you should consider seeking help. If you feel or suspect that you might be in an abusive situation, you should seek help immediately.

If you, or someone you know is in a dangerous or life-threatening situation, please call 911.

For immediate help outside of our office hours, throughout Alberta, please call 211 or one of the following distress lines:

• Edmonton: The Crisis Centre call 780 482 HELP (4357)
• Greater Edmonton region: Rural Distress Line at 1-800-232-7288.
• Calgary: 403 266 HELP (4357)

Trauma from sexual abuse and assault treatment methods

There are several different treatment methods that have been proven to be effective when working with sexual abuse trauma, including:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviour and how they perceive themselves.
• Person Centered Therapy differs from more traditional therapeutic approaches in the belief that, while the therapist has expertise in many areas, the client is the expert on themselves and their lived experiences. People are essentially trustworthy and have a vast potential for understanding themselves while also being able to ultimately resolve their own problems when guided properly.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a treatment method that is similar to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) but emphasizes building skills to manage stress, mental health issues, and the psycho-social aspects of relationship building.

Your therapist will work with you to determine the best treatment for your individual circumstances and unique needs.