Our therapists offer sexual abuse counseling for children in Newport News, VA

Counseling for Child Sexual Abuse in Newport News, VA

Thriveworks Newport News offers counseling for both adults and children who have been sexually abused. The wounds may be deep but so is the potential for recovering.

If you’re ready for a professional counselor’s help sorting through the effects of sexual assault, reach out to Thriveworks by giving us a call, or schedule online to get started.

A Difficult Reality: Child Sexual Abuse

On a much more general level, child sexual abuse is a sexual interaction between an adult and a child. The following may be examples of child sexual abuse:

• Contact abuse: Child sexual abuse can involve an adult touching a child in a sexual way. This may range from an adult touching a child’s genitals (or vice versa) all the way to rape. Other forms of sexual assault would be contact sexual abuse, such as penetrating the anus or vagina.
• Non-contact abuse: Child sexual abuse can occur without touch. For example, a perpetrator can expose themselves to a child or show the child pornographic images. If a child must watch an adult perform a sexual act, that is also sexual abuse.
• Child pornography: Whenever an adult produces, views, or circulates child pornography, child abuse has occurred.

What If You Suspect a Child Is Being Sexually Abused?

Signs that a child may have been sexually abused include:

• Inappropriate sexual behaviors like exposing private parts, acting sexual with other people, or having dolls or stuffed animals act out sexual acts.
• Bruising, tearing, redness, or swelling in the genitalia or anus.
• Having a sexually transmitted disease, urinary tract infection, or yeast infection.
• Pregnancy.
• Difficulty walking or sitting.
• Talking about sex or using terms in a way that is developmentally advanced.

Contact the authorities to report the incident. Afterward, when everyone is safe, you can reach out to us to schedule a session with one our therapists to help address what has occurred to you or a child.

Reaching Out for Healing

If you were sexually abused as a child, know that many survivors work with a therapist as they come to understanding and begin to heal. Reaching out may feel overwhelming, but here are a few tips for seeking a mental health professional:

• Before scheduling an appointment, ask about the therapist’s experience working with clients who have lived through child sexual abuse. Mental health professionals often have areas of expertise, and it is reasonable to find a therapist who understands what your experienced.
• You can inquire about the methodologies that the therapist uses. For example, trauma-informed cognitive behavior therapy (TICBT) and trauma-informed dialectical behavior therapy (TIDBT) are techniques that can be used in therapy.
• During your appointments, you should feel safe and comfortable. If something about the therapist does not sit well with you, trusting your gut is important.

Setting Up an Appointment at Thriveworks Newport News for Child Sexual Abuse

If you are ready to meet with a mental health professional, know that Thriveworks Newport News offers appointments for child sexual abuse. We meet with both children and adults.

We offer evening and weekend appointments, and new clients often have an appointment within a week of their first call. Call today, or schedule to get started.