Compassionate, specialized care for survivors of sexual trauma
Trauma is a normal response to sexual violence. It is not a character flaw, a sign of weakness, or evidence that something is fundamentally wrong with you. It is your mind and body doing exactly what they were designed to do in the face of something no one should ever have to experience.
Sexual assault is far more common than most people realize. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center reports that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in the United States experience sexual violence in their lifetime. You are not alone in this, even when it feels that way.
What happened to you may have shaken your sense of safety, your relationships, your sense of self, or maybe all three. You might even feel like you've been surviving rather than living the vibrant life you once had. With the right support, healing is real, and it's possible, and we'd be honored to help you get your life back.
Our team of therapists offers trauma-informed therapy services to individuals who've experienced recent or past sexual abuse and sexual violence. We're here to guide you through your healing process so you can feel safe, secure, and free to live a life that isn't defined by what happened to you.
Therapy for sexual abuse can help with:
Anxiety and panic attacks
Shame and self-blame
Difficulty trusting others
Low self-worth and identity struggles
Dissociation and emotional numbness
Hypervigilance
Building safety
Trouble concentrating
Disconnection from daily life
Traumatic memories and flashbacks
Meet our Chicago Sexual Trauma Therapists
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Tori Kontor, ALMFT
Rooted in Internal Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and body-centered approaches, Tori (she/her) offers a sex-positive, judgment-free space for survivors navigating sexual shame, trauma, and disconnection. Tori understands that healing is holistic, addressing how shame, anxiety, and past experiences shape intimacy and connection. Her approach is warm, culturally responsive, and affirming of all identities and relationship structures, including LGBTQIA+ and consensual non-monogamy, honoring each client's unique story as the foundation for lasting healing.
Credentials: Marriage and Family Therapist; Relationship and Sex Therapist
Focus Areas: Sex after trauma; LGBTQIA community; sexual shame; dating after sexual violence; couples communication and general couples therapy
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Jess Benge, MFT
Jess (she/her) specializes in helping survivors of sexual trauma with PTSD reconnect with their bodies, while rebuilding trust within themselves and the world around them. Trained in Internal Family Systems and certified in Brainspotting, Jess creates a space where nothing needs to be polished or performed, just honest, deep work toward lasting change. Her approach is direct yet compassionate, helping clients move beyond understanding their pain to actually feeling and releasing it.
Credentials: Marriage and Family Therapist; Relationship and Sex Therapist
Focus Areas: PTSD; sex after trauma; men's sexual health; couples issues; healing after betrayal
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Cait Gordon, MA
Cait (she/her) is a warm, sex-positive therapist passionate about helping survivors reconnect with their bodies and rediscover ease and enjoyment in their sexuality after experiencing sexual abuse and sexual violence. Drawing from somatic practices, parts work, and Emotionally Focused Therapy, she creates a safe, affirming space where healing feels both honest and alive. As a queer therapist, Cait is especially committed to supporting LGBTQIA+ clients and anyone navigating identity, intimacy, and connection across all relationship structures.
Credentials: Relationship and Sex Therapist
Focus Areas: Sexual trauma; rediscovering pleasure after sexual assault; women's sexual health; LGBTQIA+ care; sexual shame; Kink/BDSM.
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Corie Carson, LMFT
Corie (she/her) is a compassionate, direct therapist with nearly a decade of experience helping survivors find liberation from sexual trauma, shame, and the expectations that no longer serve them. Trained in EMDR and with specialized expertise in trauma and sex therapy, she understands how deeply trauma can shape one's relationship with their body, pleasure, and sense of self. Corie creates a queer-affirming, anti-oppressive space where survivors of all identities — including LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and ethically non-monogamous clients — can heal and reclaim their authentic selves.
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; Relationship and Sex Therapist; Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor
Focus Areas: Sexual trauma; ADHD and relationships; ethical non-monogamy/polyamory; sexual dysfunction; divorce and breakup recoverygoes here
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Alma Quiroz, LPC
Alma (she/her/ella) is a trauma-informed therapist specializing in helping survivors heal from past trauma and reconnect with themselves and their relationships. Drawing from attachment theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and evidence-based trauma treatments, she creates a judgment-free, anti-oppressive space where clients feel truly seen. Alma is especially passionate about supporting BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, kink, and polyamorous communities, as well as multicultural and immigrant clients navigating the intersectional impacts of culture and identity on trauma and intimacy.
Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor; Relationship and Sex Therapist; Bilingual Therapist (fluent in Spanish)
Focus Areas: Sexual trauma; sex after trauma; infidelity; multicultural couples therapy; kink/BDSM; polyamory; general couples therapy
The benefits of sexual abuse trauma therapy
Before
I carry so much shame about what happened to me, even though I know it wasn't my fault. I haven't told many people because I'm afraid of how they'll see me. I feel isolated, like no one could possibly understand what I'm going through.
After
I no longer carry the weight of shame that was never mine to hold. I've found my voice and can talk about my experience without it defining me. I feel connected to others again and no longer walk through life feeling alone in my story.
Before
I can't sleep, I can't concentrate, and I'm constantly waiting for something bad to happen. I constantly feel on edge, and I'm exhausted from pretending to be okay. I don't remember the last time I felt truly safe.
After
I have the grounding tools to calm my nervous system when it spikes. I sleep better, feel more present, and no longer spend my days bracing for the worst. Safety isn't just something I long for, it's something I've learned to create for myself.
Before
Sex feels like something that happens to me rather than something I participate in. I either avoid it completely or disconnect during it, and I feel guilty that I can't just "get over it." I'm grieving a version of myself that felt free and at ease in my body.
After
I have reclaimed my sexuality on my own terms. Intimacy feels like a choice I make from a place of safety and desire rather than obligation or fear. I've reconnected with pleasure in a way that feels empowering and authentically mine.
FAQs about sexual trauma therapy services
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There are many forms of mental health services that can help you recover after experiencing sexual trauma. Common methods of treatment include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization), Mindfulness, Somatic Experience, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
Trauma therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach, which means your therapist may integrate multiple types of therapy modalities to help you reduce the symptoms you may be experiencing. Most importantly, your therapist will prioritize building a safe therapeutic relationship with you, because that foundation is essential for healing to happen.
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A trauma therapist has specialized mental health training in understanding and treating how traumatic experiences impact the body, brain, and nervous system. Their role goes beyond just talking through difficult memories and experiences, and instead focuses on helping you understand why you feel the way you do, while guiding you toward genuine healing at a pace that feels safe for you.
Trauma therapy is highly personalized, which means no two sessions look alike. The early stages of therapy will focus on helping you build nervous system regulation skills. These skills will help you develop coping strategies and grounding techniques to manage difficult emotions and confusing physical sensations in your everyday life. Healing requires a sense of safety first, and your therapist will never move faster than you're ready for.
Building a sense of safety and trust with your therapist is an essential part of the healing journey. When you're ready, our team of trauma-informed mental health professionals is here to support you every step of the way.
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PTSD symptoms (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) after sexual assault or abuse can vary for each individual. Some of the most common signs of PTSD include:
Reliving the trauma through flashbacks or nightmares
Avoiding people, places, or anything that triggers memories of the assault
Feeling emotionally numb, detached, or disconnected from yourself
Persistent feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame
Hypervigilance, irritability, or an exaggerated startle response
Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or functioning day-to-day
Inability to have pleasurable sex either casually or in committed romantic relationships
Intense emotions that feel like a rollercoaster
Along with PTSD, it's possible to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, feelings of shame and guilt, along with a complete lack of trust in others. These are normal reactions to boundary and consent violations. Trauma-informed therapy at your own pace in a safe environment is an essential component to your healing, and our team is here to support you when you're ready.
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There are several resources available to you in and around the Chicagoland area. These resources include hotlines, crisis intervention, group therapy support, legal aid, and trauma informed care through somatic bodywork.
Resilience is a Chicagoland nonprofit committed to empowering survivors of sexual trauma through innovative, culturally responsive programming. Their support groups span a range of formats, from trauma-processing sessions to healing activity-based groups centered on connection and creativity. They also offer volunteer opportunities across Chicago for those who want to be part of our mission.
The Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline provides survivors of sexual violence 24/7 immediate support, crisis intervention, and referrals throughout the Chicagoland area. Call or text (888) 293-2080.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7. Text HOPE to 64673 or call (800) 656-HOPE. You can also live chat on via their website linked above.
Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) provides legal advocacy for victims of sexual trauma, including pro bono legal aid.
Free Forensic Medical Exams: If you have experienced sexual assault, you have the right to receive a free forensic medical exam, commonly known as a rape kit, at no cost to you, regardless of whether you choose to report the assault to law enforcement. In Illinois, this exam is covered under the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA), which ensures that survivors receive compassionate, trauma-informed medical care without financial burden.
Five Points Holistic Health provides trauma-informed bodywork, which is gentle, client-centered, and collaborative. It is intended to help reintroduce safe touch, while being fully clothed, in order to assist the nervous system in slowing down while processing safe touch from a skilled practitioner. Sliding scale services are available.
There are many resources available to you if you've experienced a traumatic event. We believe in a holistic approach to treatment, and may recommend additional resources in collaboration with your therapy sessions to help support your healing process.
Start therapy for sexual assault today
Better sex starts with communication.
Download our free Sexual Communication Handbook to access over 200 questions to get you and your partner sharing, connecting, and exploring.