[Kuras]

Finally biting the bullet and seeing a therapist for my sexual abuse as a kid. I've been putting it off for years, partially out of sheer refusal to openly acknowledge the effects it's had different areas of my life. Also partially out of stubborn pride/male ego when it comes to truly letting someone into what is unarguably the most vulnerable aspect of my life.

I've been to a couple therapists in my life, but this has never come out before now, so it's uncharted territory for me. I'm curious what others who either see or have seen a therapist about their abuse have gotten out of the experience and how they've maybe seen some improvements.

Also, do many of you have a gender preference in therapists for this sort of thing? I was pretty adamant in my refusal to see a male therapist, as I know for a fact that my guard will be up significantly higher and will probably display a more aggressive attitude. Not conducive to a healthy relationship.

[MtnTime2896]

I couldn't see a male therapist for a long time and got landed with one, I was thinking I would've eventually been assigned to one of the female therapists in that office. I wasn't and I'm still with a man. I think he's the only man I can be okay with. It made me more comfortable knowing his past is similar to my own. Therefore, he knows my pain without me having to really dig into it. I can stay surface level and he'll still understand; when he doesn't, he asks and if I want to, I tell him. Keep in mind though, I'm a woman and don't really have the "male-pride/stubbornness" aspect (though I am quite stubborn).

I'm honestly very early in the process of discussing my childhood abuse. And I've only discussed so much. I'm holding back a lot of stuff that really bothers me from my past. He knows about what my neighbor did to me, but I haven't told him a thing about the physical/psychological abuse I suffered at home. I don't think I'll ever discuss it with him, either. I'll need a new therapist when I wish to talk about that, if I wish to talk about it to anyone, ever. The reason is that he's also my little brother's therapist and sees my parents regularly because of it. He's a good therapist, but I just can't open up to him about that with as much involvement he already has with them. I just can't.

Have I noticed any changes/improvements? I'm not in denial anymore. Other than that, like I said, it's too early on for me. Good luck with therapy and I really hope it goes well. If you wish to, keep me updated on how it goes.

[PumpkinPieHead]

I just began therapy back in October, and so far, so good. Talking about the trauma sure is hard.

[broadwaylove]

I've started counselling, I'm in the early planning sessions, which is basically planning why I'm there, what I wish to accomplish, etc. Etc. My counsellor has had me doing some breathing/meditating exercises that are supposed to help release suppressed memories. I determined to try my best

Honestly, I wouldn't be able to open up to a therapist about my abuse done by family with the therapist seeing my abuser on common grounds either, kinda why I moved far away from them..