Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Abandonment Issues and Neglect
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and loss Counseling
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Lifespan Integration Therapy
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • PTSD
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sex And Porn Addiction
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Christian Counseling for Children
        and Teens
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Sex And Porn Addiction
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    • Bellevue Office FrontBellevue
    • Bothell Office Front EntranceBothell
    • Edmonds Christian CounselingEdmonds
    • Everett Office Front EntranceEverett
    • Federal Way Office FrontFederal Way
    • Hansville
    • Kent 2Kent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • LaceyLacey
    • Mill Creek Office Waiting RoomMill Creek
    • Monroe
    • Oak Harbor Office OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    • Puyallup Christian CounselingPuyallup
    • Redmond OfficeRedmond
    • Seattle Downtown OfficeSeattle Downtown
    • Seattle Greenlake 2Seattle Greenlake
    • Silverdale Office FrontSilverdale
    • Tacoma Office FrontTacoma
    • Spokane ValleySpokane Valley
    • Vancouver
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (425) 939-6856Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

The Healing Journey: Overcoming Sexual Abuse

Bellevue Christian Counseling
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/the-healing-journey-overcoming-sexual-abuse-2.jpg 300 199
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bellevue.jpg
https://bellevuechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cropped-cropped-seattle-logo.png
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
330 112th Ave NE, Suite 302
BELLEVUE, WA 98004
United States
Bellevue Christian Counseling
Mar
2015
04

The Healing Journey: Overcoming Sexual Abuse

Christian Counselor Seattle

Anger ManagementDepressionTrauma

 

HEIDIM DEF_8389Recovering from sexual abuse can look different for each individual, with the healing process existing on a continuum. In the book The Courage to Heal, Bass and Davis describe the healing process as a “spiral” rather than a straight line. As you move through the healing process, you will go through the stages repeatedly but you will experience these stages at a different level and from a different perspective.

The following stages of healing are taken from the book The Courage to Heal. These stages are to be used as a guide to healing. Everyone will move through these stages differently and not all stages are necessary for everyone.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

Stages of Healing from Child Sexual Abuse

  1. The decision to heal. Healing can only happen when you are ready and willing to change. Often, this willingness occurs when you realize that the effects of sexual abuse are impacting you in a significant way.
  2. The emergency stage. In this stage you begin to deal with memories and feelings that you have long suppressed. This is usually a time when survivors experience a rush of emotions and, at times, physical pain.
  3. Remembering. In this stage you regain memories and feelings about your abuse. As you begin to build a cohesive narrative about the abuse, you begin to understand how the sexual abuse has impacted your life.
  4. Believing it happened. As you remember your abuse, you must face the fact that you were abused. Stepping out of denial and into the truth is a powerful step for many survivors.
  5. Breaking the silence. Speaking out about your abuse is very healing. As you share your story with someone who genuinely cares for you, you begin to feel strength, resilience, and courage. Telling others about your abuse is not always easy and sometimes it requires a less direct approach, such as writing, art, or dance.
  6. Understanding that it wasn’t your fault. As a child, you probably believed the abuse was your fault. As an adult survivor, you must learn to give the responsibility back to your abuser.
  7. Understanding the child victim. You will need to understand your “inner child.” As you get to know her, and have empathy and compassion for her, you will begin to feel a connection with her. You can care for her and protect her.
  8. Grieving. As a survivor of sexual abuse, you have a lot to grieve. Grieving will allow for you to honor your pain, release the hurt, and live more fully in the present without being stuck in the past.
  9. Anger. Anger that isn’t released will turn inward and can result in depression and self-destructive behaviors. It is important to use your anger as a catalyst to move through your pain, hurt, and despair.
  10. Disclosure and truth telling. Talking about your abuse with your abuser can be empowering, but this stage is not for everyone. It is important for you to get proper support, healing, and consultation before you pursue disclosure.
  11. Forgiveness. It is necessary to find forgiveness for yourself. Forgiving yourself will release you from self-blame and shame. Many women find it freeing to forgive their abuser, but this usually comes after a long, committed process of healing.
  12. Spirituality. You will find that the healing process will require a greater source of strength and support. A strong faith and connection with Jesus can be a benefit in healing.
  13. Resolution. As you work through these stages over and over again, you will experience more awareness, integration, and compassion. You will gain the ability to move toward a better future.

HEIDIM ttronslien-2061Christian Counseling Can Help You Heal from Child Sexual Abuse

Recovering from past abuse is possible. Seeking an experienced counselor to help in your healing process is very beneficial for a number of reasons. A trained Christian counselor can support emotional awareness, aid with anger management, help to uncover and work through shame, facilitate the grieving process, and promote the repair of trauma.

References
Bass, E., & Davis, L. (2008). The courage to heal: A guide for women survivors of child sexual abuse. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.Photos
“Spiral Stairs,” DEF_8389.jpg, courtesy of Limp182, morgfuefile.com; “Decorative Door,” ttronslien-2061.jpg, courtesy of ttronslien, morguefile.com

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact one of our counselors for further information.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top

Other articles that might interest you...

spacer

Healing from Child Sexual Abuse: A Christian Counselor Speaks
Bellevue Christian Counseling

Healing from Child Sexual Abuse: A ...

 Part 1 of a 2-part series Child sexual abuse is a significant problem. In fact, 25 percent of girls and...

continue reading »
spacer

Related Services

  • Anger Management
  • Depression
  • Trauma
Bellevue Christian Counseling Logo
Bellevue Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors experienced in helping people of all ages find healing for a wide variety of issues.
© 2025 Bellevue Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
330 112th Ave NE,, Bellevue, WA 98004. Tel (425) 939-6856.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
We are open for business. In person and online counseling are available now.