The Role of Therapy and Coaching in Sexual Trauma Recovery
How Professional Support Helps Survivors Rebuild Their Lives
June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the lasting impact of trauma and the importance of access to care for survivors. Sexual violence is one of the leading causes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with many survivors struggling with flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and difficulty trusting others long after the assault.
At V.O.I.C.E.S. Against Sexual Assault, we recognize that healing is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Survivors need comprehensive, trauma-informed support to process their experiences, regain a sense of safety, and rebuild their confidence. That’s why we integrate therapy and life coaching to provide survivors with both emotional healing and practical strategies for moving forward.
Understanding PTSD and Sexual Trauma
PTSD is a natural response to a traumatic event like sexual assault, which overwhelms the brain’s ability to process and cope. Survivors may experience:
✔️ Intrusive Memories & Flashbacks – Re-experiencing the trauma as if it’s happening again.
✔️ Hypervigilance & Anxiety – Feeling constantly on edge or in danger.
✔️ Avoidance & Isolation – Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind them of the trauma.
✔️ Emotional Numbness & Depression – Struggling with feelings of emptiness, detachment, or hopelessness.
✔️ Difficulty Trusting Others – Finding it hard to form relationships or feel safe with people.
Without the right support, PTSD can negatively impact a survivor’s mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. However, with trauma-informed therapy and life coaching, survivors can take steps toward reclaiming their lives.
The Power of Therapy in Sexual Trauma Recovery
Therapy is a critical tool for survivors, offering a safe space to process trauma and develop coping strategies. Trauma-informed therapists use evidence-based approaches to help survivors regain control over their emotions and experiences.
Types of Therapy That Help Sexual Assault Survivors
✔️ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps survivors reframe negative thought patterns, manage triggers, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
✔️ Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A highly effective technique for processing traumatic memories and reducing emotional distress.
✔️ Somatic Therapy – Focuses on releasing trauma stored in the body, helping survivors feel safer in their own skin.
✔️ Group Therapy & Peer Support – Connecting with other survivors in a safe, guided environment can reduce feelings of isolation and shame.
At V.O.I.C.E.S., our Healing Voices program provides survivors with individual therapy sessions with a licensed mental health counselor, helping them work through PTSD symptoms and begin their healing journey.
How Life Coaching Supports Trauma Recovery
While therapy focuses on healing past trauma, life coaching is about helping survivors move forward with confidence and purpose.
✔️ Goal-Setting for the Future – Coaching helps survivors identify their personal and professional goals post-trauma.
✔️ Building Confidence & Self-Worth – Trauma can shatter self-esteem. Coaching empowers survivors to reclaim their strength.
✔️ Developing Healthy Boundaries – Learning how to set and maintain boundaries is key to re-establishing safety in relationships.
✔️ Practical Life Skills & Resilience – From stress management to career guidance, coaching equips survivors with tools to thrive.
Through V.O.I.C.E.S., survivors receive one-on-one coaching sessions, allowing them to create a roadmap for healing and personal growth with a certified life coach.
Why the Combination of Therapy & Coaching is So Effective
Therapy and coaching work together to provide a holistic healing experience for survivors.
Therapy helps survivors process past trauma.
Coaching helps survivors build their future.
Together, they provide emotional healing, empowerment, and practical tools for rebuilding life after trauma.
At V.O.I.C.E.S., we believe that survivors need long-term support beyond immediate crisis intervention. That’s why our Healing Voices program includes both therapy and coaching, giving survivors a comprehensive approach to healing and self-empowerment.
Breaking the Stigma: Encouraging Survivors to Seek Support
Many survivors hesitate to seek help due to shame, fear, or uncertainty about the healing process. However, no survivor should have to navigate trauma alone.
If you’re a survivor, remember:
✔️ Your trauma is not your fault.
✔️ You deserve healing, support, and a safe space to process your emotions.
✔️ Seeking therapy or coaching is a sign of strength, not weakness.
At V.O.I.C.E.S., we offer free trauma-informed therapy and coaching to help survivors take control of their healing journey. Whether you’re struggling with PTSD, self-doubt, or rebuilding your confidence, we’re here to support you.
How You Can Help Survivors Heal
PTSD Awareness Month is a reminder that healing from sexual trauma takes time, support, and resources. You can help by:
✔️ Encouraging survivors to seek therapy and coaching.
✔️ Educating yourself about PTSD and sexual trauma.
✔️ Supporting organizations like V.O.I.C.E.S. that provide free survivor resources.
✔️ Advocating for trauma-informed care in your community.
If you or someone you love needs support, V.O.I.C.E.S. Against Sexual Assault is here to help. We provide free therapy, coaching, and survivor-centered programs designed to help survivors reclaim their lives.
📞 Contact us today to learn more about our Healing Voices program.
Healing is possible. Support is available. And no survivor has to walk this journey alone.