Sexual Abuse or Assault

Before working in private practice I worked for several years as a Victim Therapy exclusively with sexual abuse victims.

All forms of trauma can cause excruciating symptoms. Trauma perpetrated by other people, especially when sexual in nature, comes with its own particular challenges. I spent over four years working exclusively with survivors of sexual trauma and can bring extensive training and experience to the conversation. If past trauma is still infringing upon your present, you deserve to have space and support for healing.

Working with sexual trauma includes building a relationship and a therapeutic environment that can help clients feel the range of under-processed and calcified feelings stored within their bodies, including grief, pain (both physical and psychic), anger, and shame. I help clients understand what is happening in their nervous systems and bodies when triggered, and begin to build present-moment resources which foster a connected, trusting, fortified relationship with their bodies.

As a survivor myself, I understand the painful road to healing sexual violence causes. In order to approach healing, clients must go at their own pace in a safe environment where they feel the freedom to do so. This is what I work hard to provide by applying my knowledge on trauma in the body, the depression and major anxiety sexual violence can cause, and how to begin to rebuild ourselves through processing and skill-building together.

With over a quarter century & 40k hours of expert treatment for all types of sexual misbehaviors provided, I give you an evidence based, research oriented treating of “sex addiction”, Out of Control Sexual Behavior, App Hook-Ups, Strip Clubs, Massage Parlors, compulsivity, Professional Sexual Misconduct, serial affairs, as a Certified sexual misbehavior professional. James Foley LCSW 60 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10165 718-208-6135 www.sexuallycompulsive.com

Any sexual assault, harassment, or even unwanted advances from another person is a big deal. I hear all the time, “it’s fine,” nothing really happened,” I’m just overreacting,” or “I am making a big deal out of nothing.” I want every person to know that those statements are ideas and beliefs that the brain creates as a way to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense, a way to cope with the feeling of helplessness, and a way to make something feel okay even though it’s not okay. Accepting

I have experience working with male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and the confusing consequences of this unique type of abuse. Often, male survivors of sexual abuse struggle with intimacy, relationships, perfectionism, codependency, identity, dissociation, self sabotage, and overall boundary complications across different relationships. I can support you in the process of developing a treatment plan and following through to address your individual concerns step by step.

All forms of trauma can cause excruciating symptoms. Trauma perpetrated by other people, especially when sexual in nature, comes with its own particular challenges. I spent over four years working exclusively with survivors of sexual trauma and can bring extensive training and experience to the conversation. If past trauma is still infringing upon your present, you deserve to have space and support for healing.

We appreciate how challenging, complicated, and vulnerable working with those who've been abused (sexually, physically, verbally, mentally). Every single clinician in our practice has specialized training in working through trauma and abuse and paces it in a way that fosters safety, compassion, awareness, and sensitivity. We offer many ways to process trauma like EMDR, Trainspotting, Somatic Work, Parts Work, and more.

I've worked with folx who have experienced sexual abuse or assault since starting my career. Many people come to me feeling like it's their fault, that they should have done something differently, or so much shame at what did happen. I believe you and I believe that none of this is your fault. Together we can process the effects of this trauma, knowing that you can take the lead as to what that looks like. It can change, and it can get better.

If you are hoping to not only explore but clear, memories of pain, trauma, conflict, exploitation, neglect, fear, and embedded sadness, you are welcome to contact me. EMDR as one form of interactive therapy can be very effective for many clients and can shift the way in which you are internalizing traumatic memories.

Sexual trauma is one of the most painful traumas as it's often surrounded by so much shame and self-blame that it can take a very long time to reach out for help. As someone who has worked at sexual assault agencies in Boulder, CO, San Antonio, TX and San Francisco, CA as well as treating trauma in my counseling practice, I have seen first hand the wide spread pain and havoc that sexual trauma causes. The good news is that relief from your pain is possible and freedom is within reach.

You've tried just forgetting it happened and moved on with your life, but at some point the past will begin to gnaw at you. Anxiety brings nightmares and flashbacks. You can't focus. You're questioning everything--who can you trust, was it your fault, was it really that bad, and how will you ever feel safe again? Sadness and anger follow you everywhere you go. Now's the time to reach out. You're not alone and we will work together so you can reclaim your life.

Many of my clients have experienced something scary or that just didn't quite feel right with another person. Some may hesitate to call it sexual assault or abuse and that's ok. What's important is that if you aren't feeling like yourself after something like this happens, I can help you get back to feeling like YOU again.

From a trauma-informed, humanistic, and somatic lens, I work slowly to unpack the many layers of impact that sexual trauma can have on the body and nervous system. This involves building trust in the self again first, and learning to reshape nervous system responses to threat, honor the body's wisdom and needs, and move with the anger, shame, guilt, or deep sadness that may arise in response to sexual trauma.

I am trained in several trauma-informed strategies. I currently hold certification in Complex PTSD and Trauma (CCPT) Levels I and II, which incorporates EMDR, Parts Work (IFS), CPT, and Polyvagal Theory. I am well-versed in Emotional Freedom Tapping (EFT), DBT, CBT, Family Systems, and the impact of trauma on the brain.

Trauma is an emotional response to any circumstance where you felt hopeless and overwhelmed. Many times the trauma is in the form of sexual abuse or assault. These experiences exceed your capacity to shape your beliefs, identity, spirituality, and coping. Trauma impacts the way you see yourself, others and the world around you.