Relationship Abuse and Sexual Trauma

If you have been in an abusive or toxic relationship, or have survived sexual violence, you may have spent a long time wondering whether what happened to you was really that bad. You may struggle to trust your own perceptions, feel shame that was never yours to carry or find it hard to believe you deserve care.

You do. And in therapy, there is no pressure to tell your story in any particular way, or at any particular pace. My role is to be present with you, consistently, without judgement, so that you feel genuinely heard.

Morning after the Snow at Koishikawa by Hokusai

How I can help

The aftermath of abuse or sexual violence is different for everyone. Some people feel numb, others feel overwhelmed. Some come to therapy years later, when a relationship or life event brings everything back to the surface. Wherever you are, we can work from there. We might explore:

  • Making sense of what happened and its impact on you
  • Rebuilding trust in your own perceptions and judgement
  • Processing shame, guilt and self-blame
  • Understanding patterns in relationships and how the past shapes the present
  • Finding your way back to yourself

If you are neurodivergent, there may be an additional layer of complexity. Autistic women and women with ADHD are at significantly higher risk of experiencing abusive relationships and sexual violence, and may have found it harder to recognise what was happening at the time, or to be heard afterwards. This is not a reflection of your judgement or worth. Therapy can help you make sense of all of this, without pressure or judgement.

"Healing is not about forgetting or moving on. It is about no longer being held hostage by what happened, and slowly reclaiming a life that feels like your own."

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Also offering specialist support for neurodivergent clients: Support for neurodivergent adults →