Ghostiic

I am a counsellor, therapist and a trainee trauma specialist. I work with people who have experienced sexual abuse and assault.
Some clients want to tell me details of their experience. For these clients, it is cathartic, maybe also breaking the bounds of keeping secrets, or needing their story to be heard. Some tell me over and over again.

Other clients do not go into detail at all. Some clients, all I know is 'some childhood Abuse' or 'I was attacked'. The details often do emerge, slowly, as we build up trust and a working alliance. As a client describes their experience, I might ask some details to make sure I am getting things right, and hearing their story. I would never ask for details of the abuse however, or ever push a client to talk about anything they are not comfortable or ready for.

As Mimsies says, reliving trauma is not helpful, and can be very damaging. In my opinion, there is so much potential in the therapy to replicate the original abusive relationship, with the client disempowered and traumatized. It is helpful for some clients to tell, or retell their trauma, but not in a way that it out of their control.

I don't need to know if my client is telling the truth. I choose to believe them. I am not a lawyer.

I hope you find a new therapist who can go at your pace, and respect your process.
Good luck xx