Facing Sexual Trauma: Your Path to Lasting Healing
Discovering the Power of Integrative and Somatic Approaches to Overcome Past Trauma
Have you ever tried holding a beach ball underwater? You might manage it briefly, but eventually, it shoots back up, often at the worst possible time. Trauma, especially unresolved sexual trauma, is like that beach ball. We bury it deep, thinking it’s safely hidden, only for it to resurface later, disrupting our lives and relationships. If you're dealing with symptoms or behaviors that seem confusing or unmanageable, it's crucial to recognize the hidden impacts unresolved sexual trauma can have.
In this article, you'll learn why addressing sexual trauma head-on is critical, the subtle signs of trauma that many overlook, and actionable steps towards healing. I'll also introduce you to insights from Erika Shershun, MA, MFT, a somatic psychotherapist and trauma expert who has navigated her healing journey, transforming her experiences into powerful tools for others.
Understanding the Deep Impact of Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma deeply influences your physical and emotional health in ways that can persist silently for years. Many survivors remain unaware of how profoundly their trauma affects their lives, as memories of these experiences are often encoded differently from other events. Erika explains that trauma frequently manifests as fragmented, emotional, or bodily sensations rather than clear, coherent memories.
The body's implicit memories, rooted in emotions and sensations, keep traumatic experiences alive beneath the surface. Common symptoms include chronic illnesses like IBS, intense mood swings, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and overwhelming feelings of shame, powerlessness, or worthlessness.
Hidden Symptoms You May Be Ignoring
Recognizing the less obvious symptoms of unresolved trauma is crucial. Erika categorizes these into areas like hyper-arousal, dissociation, negative emotions, physical health issues, and avoidance behaviors. These symptoms might include:
- Heightened sensitivity to noises or sudden movements
- Persistent sleep problems, leading to daytime fatigue
- Frequent mood swings or bouts of anger
- Digestive issues or other chronic physical complaints
- Constant feelings of shame or inadequacy
Acknowledging these symptoms as possible trauma indicators is an essential first step toward healing.
Why Traditional Therapy Might Not Be Enough
Talk therapy has long been the standard approach for mental health treatment, but for trauma survivors, it may not fully address the deep-rooted physical impacts of trauma. Erika shares her own experience, where nearly two decades of traditional therapy brought limited relief. This revelation led her to pursue integrative therapies like somatic psychology, EMDR, and sensory-motor therapy, which finally offered profound healing.
These integrative approaches engage both mind and body, addressing trauma at a more fundamental level, allowing survivors to reconnect with their physical sensations and emotions.
Somatic Therapy: Reconnecting with Your Body
Somatic therapy emphasizes the connection between body and mind, helping survivors to process trauma through physical sensations and emotional awareness. Erika highlights how trauma often leads to a disconnection from bodily sensations, a coping mechanism that temporarily shields us from pain but ultimately hinders genuine healing.
Practices such as grounding and orienting reconnect survivors to their bodies and environments. Grounding techniques, like toe-tapping or mindful breathing exercises, reduce anxiety and help manage flashbacks. Orienting involves consciously observing one's surroundings to reassure the nervous system of safety, significantly reducing trauma triggers.
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Finding Trauma-Informed Support
When seeking professional help, it is crucial to choose a therapist with specialized training in trauma-informed care. Therapists trained in somatic experiencing, sensory-motor psychotherapy, EMDR, or Organic Intelligence can offer transformative healing.
Erika stresses that a qualified trauma therapist prioritizes safety and does not pressure survivors to relive traumatic details. Instead, therapy progresses at a pace comfortable for the survivor, respecting their boundaries and emotional readiness.
Common Misconceptions About Trauma and Healing
One of the significant misconceptions survivors have is feeling responsible or believing they somehow invited trauma. Erika clarifies that trauma is never the survivor’s fault; perpetrators often target individuals who appear vulnerable due to unresolved past trauma. Understanding this dynamic helps alleviate feelings of guilt and shame, critical obstacles on the path to healing.
Healing Through Erika’s Proven Strategies
Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, Erika recommends practical strategies for beginning your healing journey:
Daily Grounding Exercises
Grounding helps stabilize your emotions and reduces anxiety. Techniques like toe-tapping or deep breathing exercises can significantly calm your nervous system, creating a foundation for healing.
Regular Orienting Practices
Regularly taking a moment to observe your immediate surroundings reassures your nervous system that you are safe, reducing panic and anxiety attacks commonly associated with trauma responses.
Understanding Your Nervous System
Learning about Polyvagal Theory and nervous system regulation equips you with powerful tools for recognizing and managing emotional responses. Knowing how your nervous system operates under stress empowers you to regain control and stability.
Real-Life Examples and Stories of Recovery
Real-life stories, like Erika’s own journey, demonstrate the profound changes possible when trauma is effectively addressed. Survivors who embrace integrative therapies frequently report reduced anxiety, improved relationships, better physical health, and a stronger sense of self-worth.
These accounts highlight the transformative potential of somatic therapy and other integrative practices, providing hope and motivation for survivors seeking change.
Steps to Begin Your Healing Journey
Here are clear steps to begin your own journey:
- Identify and acknowledge your symptoms as valid signs of trauma.
- Engage in daily grounding and orienting exercises.
- Learn about nervous system regulation through books, online resources, or qualified therapists.
- Seek a trauma-informed therapist skilled in integrative and somatic methods.
- Be patient and compassionate with yourself throughout the healing process.
Embracing Your Path to Emotional Freedom
Regardless of how long you’ve carried the burden of trauma, healing remains accessible. Recognizing your inherent worthiness is a powerful catalyst for change. As you engage with integrative healing methods, you will uncover resilience, strength, and renewed hope for your future.
This journey is deeply personal, yet universal in its potential to transform lives. Taking the first steps toward addressing unresolved trauma can feel daunting, but the rewards, renewed health, emotional clarity, and authentic joy, are worth every effort.
If you’d like to work with Erika or receive a copy of chapter one of “The Healing Sexual Trauma Workbook” and a digital copy of “The Many Ways to Ground,” click on the links below.
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Watch the complete interview here.
Resources Mentioned:
Healing Sexual Trauma Workbook
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