What to expect from counselling


“I didn’t know what to expect from counselling. I didn’t even know if I would be able to say anything. I had held it inside for so long”.


If you decide that you would like to talk with a counsellor you can expect they will


• Be appropriately trained in the area of childhood sexual abuse counselling


• Welcome you and offer a safe space


• Listen, believe and be non- judgmental


• Honour your story


• Believe it is possible for the effects of abuse to have less power in your life


• Assist you to address the effects of childhood sexual abuse


• Support you in building on your strengths and exploring your potential


• Seek to understand important issues relating to your family and cultural background, sexuality, gender and age.


In assisting people to stand against the effects of abuse we understand that women and men may experience these effects in different ways. We seek to be sensitive in our responses to each individual.


We recognise the courage it may take to come to counselling.


Some people find a great relief in sharing their story. For others it is more challenging. Our counselling provides a respectful, emotionally safe environment to allow you to share your story in your own way. Perhaps people who care about you have encouraged you to come to counselling, or may even have put pressure on you to attend. We believe the decision to seek counselling can only be made by you.


We will support you in this decision by providing information about what you can expect and your rights and responsibilities in seeking support. We invite you to share your story at your own pace and with the amount of detail with which you feel comfortable.


Our counselling service focuses on the goals you bring to counselling. People who come to our service face a variety of challenging situations. Some feel overwhelmed by the effects of the abuse experienced. Some may have forgotten about the abuse until the memories were triggered by an event or experience. Some individuals may have been aware of the abuse, but have pushed the memories down, and now realise the time has come to face the memories and seek help.


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