One Survivor’s Journey to Healing

(A client story — shared with care and anonymity)

Healing from childhood sexual abuse isn’t linear — it’s a deeply personal process that unfolds in layers, often over years. Every survivor’s path looks different, but each one carries courage, strength, and hope.

Today, I want to share a composite story — a reflection of the many brave survivors I’ve had the honour of walking alongside in therapy. While the details have been changed to protect confidentiality; the emotions, patterns, and healing themes are very real.

The Early Years: “It Wasn’t That Bad”

When Sara first reached out for therapy, she almost didn’t use the word “abuse”. She described her childhood as “confusing”, “a bit weird”, and “probably normal”. Like many survivors, she minimized what happened — a coping strategy that once kept her safe.

In our early sessions, she spoke about always feeling “on edge” in relationships, struggling to trust, and carrying a deep sense of shame she couldn’t name. Slowly, through gentle exploration, she began to uncover memories and emotions she had long buried.

What she once dismissed as “not that bad” began to take shape as what it truly was: a profound violation of her boundaries and trust.

The Middle: Naming the Truth

The hardest part, Sara often said, wasn’t remembering what happened — it was believing herself. Self-doubt and shame are powerful echoes of abuse. Survivors often internalize the messages they were given as children: “Don’t tell”, “No one will believe you”, or “You wanted this”.

In therapy, we worked to separate what happened from what it meant about her. We talked about trauma responses — why she froze, why she blamed herself, and how her nervous system had learned to survive. Understanding her body’s wisdom allowed her to begin releasing self-blame and embracing compassion for the child she once was.

The Turning Point: Reclaiming Safety

For Sara, healing wasn’t about forgetting the past — it was about reclaiming her right to feel safe in the present. Through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, body connection work, boundary rebuilding, and trauma-informed care, she began to notice small shifts: being able to say “no,” feeling comfortable being alone, sleeping through the night.

One day, she said quietly, “I don’t feel broken anymore”. That moment wasn’t the end of her journey — but it marked a powerful beginning.

The Now: Living Beyond the Wound

Today, Sara describes herself as “learning to live, not just survive”. There are still hard days — trauma healing is never a straight line — but there’s also laughter, connection, and self-trust. She no longer defines herself by what happened to her, but by the person she’s becoming.

Her story is not just one of trauma — it’s one of resilience, reclamation, and growth.

A Gentle Reminder

If parts of Sara’s story resonate with you, please know: you are not alone. Healing is possible — at your own pace, in your own way, with support that honours your boundaries and story.

You deserve to feel safe, to be believed, and to live a life that feels like yours.

💛 If you’re a survivor of childhood sexual abuse seeking trauma-informed support, I offer a compassionate, evidence-based space to help you reconnect with safety, trust, and self-worth.👉 Connect with me here.