What happened to you wasn’t your fault. You didn’t ask for it. You didn’t deserve it. And you don’t have to carry it alone anymore.
Sexual abuse shatters trust, in others, in the world, and often in yourself. It doesn’t matter if it happened yesterday or decades ago. It doesn’t matter if you “froze” instead of fighting back. It doesn’t matter if the person who hurt you was someone you loved or trusted. None of it was your fault.
As a trauma-informed therapist with over 20 years of experience, I provide compassionate, survivor-centered counseling for individuals who’ve experienced sexual abuse, assault, or trauma. This is a space where you’re never pushed, never judged, and always believed.
We move at YOUR pace. You decide what to share and when. You’re in control here, because control is what was taken from you, and healing begins with getting it back.
You shower constantly but still don't feel clean. You avoid mirrors. You're convinced something about you is permanently ruined.
Your body remembers even when your mind tries to forget. Smells, sounds, or touches trigger you back to that moment.
You tell yourself you should have fought back, said no louder, not gone there, not trusted them. The "shoulds" never stop.
You push people away before they can hurt you. Or you tolerate mistreatment because you don't believe you deserve better.
You dissociate during sex (or avoid it entirely). You feel disconnected from your body. Touch, even safe touch, makes your skin crawl.
Certain places, people, smells, or situations trigger you. You've organized your entire life around avoidance.
Yes. Healing is possible.
Sexual abuse therapy is different from regular therapy.
Session 1-2: Safety, Trust, and Your Story (Only What You’re Ready to Share)
We’ll focus on creating a sense of safety and trust. You decide what to share and when. If you’re not ready to talk about details, that’s okay, we’ll work on stabilization first. You’re in control here.
Session 3-8: Stabilization & Grounding
Before processing trauma, we build your emotional and physical foundation. You’ll learn grounding techniques, nervous system regulation, and ways to manage overwhelming emotions. Healing doesn’t start with diving into the trauma, it starts with creating safety.
Session 9-20: Processing Trauma (At Your Pace)
When you’re ready, and ONLY when you’re ready, we’ll gently process traumatic memories. We use trauma-informed approaches that don’t retraumatize you. Some sessions will be hard. Some will bring relief. You’re never pushed beyond what you can handle.
Session 20-30: Reclaiming Your Life
As trauma loses its grip, we focus on rebuilding: trust, relationships, your sense of self, your connection to your body. You’ll practice setting boundaries, recognizing safe people, and creating a life that feels like YOURS.
Session 30+: Integration & Empowerment
Healing isn’t linear. Some weeks are easier; some are harder. As things stabilize, we shift to less frequent sessions. The goal isn’t to make you “forget”, it’s to help you carry the trauma differently, so it no longer controls your life.
Healing moves at YOUR pace. You’ll never be forced to share details you’re not ready to share or process memories before you’re ready. Your sense of control is sacred here.
Freezing, dissociating, “going along with it”, these aren’t signs of weakness. They’re your brain and body protecting you. I’ll help you understand your responses with compassion, not judgment.
You’ll never hear “Why didn’t you fight back?” or “Why did you go there?” or “Why didn’t you tell someone?” Victim-blaming has no place here. You’re believed, you’re supported, and you’re never judged.
Trauma lives in your body, tight muscles, shallow breathing, a nervous system stuck on high alert. We use somatic (body-based) techniques to release trauma and help you feel safe in your own skin again.
Sexual abuse therapy takes time. I’m here for the long haul. Whether that’s 6 months, a year, or longer. Healing isn’t a race.
No. You share what feels safe to share, when you’re ready. Some survivors benefit from detailed processing; others heal by focusing on symptoms, relationships, and present-day coping. There’s no “right” way to heal.
Memory fragmentation is common in trauma. You don’t need to remember every detail to heal. We work with what you DO remember, and we honor the ways your brain protected you by blocking certain memories.
If someone violated your body, your boundaries, or your consent, it counts. It doesn’t matter if there was penetration, if you knew the person, if you were drinking, or if you didn’t say no out loud. Abuse is abuse.
No. Confrontation is YOUR choice. Some survivors find it empowering; others find it retraumatizing. We’ll explore what feels right for YOU.
Trauma doesn’t have an expiration date. It doesn’t matter if the abuse happened 5, 10, 30, or 50 years ago, you deserve support. Many survivors don’t seek help until adulthood, and that’s okay.
Yes. I can support you through the emotional aspects of reporting, court proceedings, or seeking justice. However, I’m a therapist, not a legal advocate, I can provide referrals to legal resources if needed.
Please tell me. Suicidal thoughts are common among trauma survivors, and I have experience helping clients create safety plans and navigate acute distress. If you’re in immediate danger, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest ER.
There’s no set timeline. Most survivors begin to feel meaningful relief within 6-12 months, but deep healing often takes 1-2 years or more. We move at YOUR pace, there’s no rush.
Yes! I provide secure online therapy throughout Illinois. Many clients prefer online sessions for convenience and flexibility.
I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and other major insurers. Contact me to verify your specific plan coverage.
in-person and online options throughout Illinois.
Friday 10 AM – 8 PM
Saturday 9 AM – 3 PM
1525 East 53rd Street
Suite 433
Chicago, IL 60615
Parking: Paid parking available behind Akira and paid street parking.
Public Transit: CTA and Metra
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
11 AM – 8 PM
125 South Wacker Drive
Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60606
Parking: Paid street parking or multiple public garages..
Public Transit: CTA & Metra.
Whether you’re navigating relationship struggles, identity questions, trauma recovery, or generational patterns you’re ready to break, I’m here to help. Fill out the form, and I will reach out to you as soon as I can.
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