Therapy
To help heal from trauma, what helped me most was EMDR and Hypnotherapy.
I have also heard incredible things about ART Therapy, but I haven’t personally tried it…yet.
I would not recommend Sensate Focus. I personally found that it exacerbated the problem and do not believe it’s an effective approach to healing from sexual abuse, although a common one.
The hardest part about therapy for me is finding a therapist that's a good fit.
Not all therapists are created equal, and not all therapists are going to be a good fit for you. Though frustrating, it’s okay to move on and keep looking. It’s worth taking the time to find someone who is really capable of helping you.
If you're looking for a therapist to help you with your marriage:
Don’t pick someone you’re really comfortable with. This is usually a sign that they’re not going to push you to self confront and they won’t do much more than validate you. You want someone who is willing to push where you need to be pushed and help you see the parts of you you don’t want to see. That’s where real change comes from.
I would recommend finding a therapist who advertises themselves as using the trademarked Crucible Approach. They can not advertise themselves as such without permission/the right credentials. This is the approach founded by Dr. David Schnarch and used by Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, two mentors who have had a huge influence for good in my life and my marriage.
Disclaimer:
While I am a domestic abuse survivor and relationship coach, I am not a licensed therapist, counselor, or medical professional. The information, courses, coaching, and recommendations provided are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered professional mental health or medical advice. Every individual’s situation is unique, and any decisions you make based on the content shared here are solely your responsibility.