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Trauma-Focused Therapy

Rebuild safety, connection, and confidence after trauma you’ve carried for so long. 

Happy, smiling woman running through a field

Do you feel like you’re still carrying the weight of what happened to you?

Trauma doesn’t end when the event does. Survivors of childhood sexual assault often spend years trying to make sense of experiences that were never fair to begin with. You may have learned to survive by shutting down your emotions, staying hyper-aware of danger, or trying to please everyone around you. Now, as an adult, those same patterns might be showing up in your relationships, self-image, and day-to-day life—keeping you from feeling safe or fully alive.

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You’re not broken. You adapted to survive. But those survival skills don’t have to define your future.

You feel disconnected from yourself.

You might find it hard to know what you feel or need. Maybe you’ve spent years pushing feelings aside or numbing out to avoid memories. Even small moments of vulnerability or rest can feel unsafe. Many survivors describe feeling like they’re watching life happen from the outside—disconnected from their bodies, emotions, or even their sense of identity. Healing begins when you can gently reconnect with yourself, at a pace that feels safe.

Relationships feel complicated—even the good ones.

Whether it’s fear of being hurt again or an instinct to keep people at arm’s length, intimacy can feel overwhelming. You might notice patterns of people-pleasing, over-explaining, or withdrawing when things get too close. It’s exhausting trying to maintain control or stay “on guard” all the time. Therapy helps you explore these patterns without shame, learning how to build trust, communicate boundaries, and allow connection without losing yourself.

You’re tired of the constant triggers and self-blame.

  • Flashbacks, body memories, and intrusive thoughts can come without warning. You might wonder if you’ll ever feel “normal” again. It’s common to blame yourself for not being “over it,” but trauma recovery isn’t about forgetting—it’s about reclaiming your sense of safety and control. Through trauma-focused therapy, you can learn to calm your body, challenge distorted beliefs, and begin to trust your own inner voice again.  

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  • You don’t have to go through this alone. Healing from sexual trauma is a deeply personal journey, and therapy can be the space where you finally begin to feel safe, seen, and whole.​​

How Trauma-Focused Therapy Works

When you start therapy with us, we move at your pace.

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1. We begin by building stability.

Your first phase of therapy focuses on grounding skills, emotional regulation, and helping your body feel safer. You don’t have to dive into anything difficult right away—we make sure you’re supported before we go anywhere deeper.

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2. You decide what you share.

Your story is yours. Some clients talk about their trauma; others never do. Both are valid. We focus on how your past impacts your life now, without forcing you to revisit details you’re not ready to discuss.

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3. We explore gently and slowly.

When you feel steady, we begin looking at the patterns, beliefs, and emotional reactions shaped by trauma—carefully, with intention. This work often happens gradually over months, not in the first few sessions.

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4. We work toward integration, not reliving.

Our goal is to help you release shame, rebuild trust in yourself, and reconnect with your body and emotions. We use EMDR, DBT, ACT, body-based work, and mindfulness to support a healing process that honors your whole story.

Why Work With Us

  • We specialize in trauma recovery.  Our therapists are trained in trauma-informed, evidence-based models that support deep healing and safety for survivors of sexual abuse.

  • We honor your story without pressure or judgement.  We know that sharing your story can be terrifying. You control what you share and when. Therapy is a space where you are never rushed, judged, or pushed beyond what feels safe.

  • We focus on whole-person healing.  We understand that trauma lives in both the mind and body. Our approach integrates mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and body-based techniques to help you reconnect with your physical and emotional self.

  • We believe healing is possible.  Even after years of silence or shame, it’s never too late to reclaim your sense of peace, safety, and purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does trauma therapy take?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Healing depends on your goals, comfort level, and how deep you want to go. Some clients feel significant relief after a few months, while others continue longer-term to process deeper layers. We move entirely at your pace.

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2. Do I have to talk about the details of what happened?
No. You’re always in control of what you share. Effective trauma therapy focuses on how trauma affects you now—your thoughts, body, and emotions—without needing to relive every detail.

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3. What if I feel triggered during a session?
That’s completely normal. Your therapist will help you learn grounding and regulation skills to manage distress safely. Part of our work together is helping you build a sense of control so that you can face triggers with confidence.

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4. Can therapy really help after so many years?
Yes. The brain and body are incredibly resilient. Even if the trauma happened decades ago, it’s possible to heal, find peace, and live without being ruled by the past.

We make it easy to get started.

Book a free consultation: We’ll answer your questions and help you find the right therapist for you.


Schedule directly through our online booking page — Choose a time that works best for your schedule.


Prefer to talk first? Give us a call or send a message. We’ll return your call within 24 business hours.

© 2025 by Purpose Counseling LLC

CONTACT
Tel: 513-212-6491
Email: team@ohiopurposecounseling.com
Cincinnati, Ohio
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