Sexual Abuse or Assault

I have worked extensively with people who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. I utilize DBT skills training, EMDR and Somatic Experiencing in order to assist people with healing through these past experiences.

Many of my clients have experienced something scary or that just didn't quite feel right with another person. Some may hesitate to call it sexual assault or abuse and that's ok. What's important is that if you aren't feeling like yourself after something like this happens, I can help you get back to feeling like YOU again.

Sexual trauma is one of the most painful traumas as it's often surrounded by so much shame and self-blame that it can take a very long time to reach out for help. As someone who has worked at sexual assault agencies in Boulder, CO, San Antonio, TX and San Francisco, CA as well as treating trauma in my counseling practice, I have seen first hand the wide spread pain and havoc that sexual trauma causes. The good news is that relief from your pain is possible and freedom is within reach.

I specialize in working with male survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and dating/domestic violence using a trauma-informed approach. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in education doing sexual assault advocacy work, including developing resources for male survivors.

#metoo. I believe you. I'm here to offer you a safe space to cry, grieve, scream, question, rage, mourn, and go through all the waves of emotions that arise after a sexual assault. If you’ve been feeling alone in life lately, feeling like no one truly understands the depths of the pain you are in, or feeling like you’ve lost parts of yourself and the person you used to be, let's get in touch. I am here to listen, hold empathetic space, and we will take the therapy journey at your own pace.

I am especially sensitive to the survivors of Sexual Abuse and Assault, with concerns including but not limited to: Boundaries and Trust; Familial Trauma; Domestic Violence and Relationship Issues; Sexual Violence; Shame; Pleasure; PTSD; Working through Pain vs. Pleasure; Recurring Dreams and Nightmares; Reporting or Not-Reporting; Creating a Personal Sexuality; Early Sexual Experience; Processing of Trauma - Putting Words to the Experience(s); Relationship Patterns; Fear; Reclamation of Self

Sexual trauma can really shake us to our core. Living in a sexist world after a trauma can be overwhelming as a woman. Toxic masculinity is prevalent in both work and home life – creating complex triggers in unlikely places. As our awareness of these intersections between trauma and sexism increase, we may feel up in arms, ready to start a revolution! But we need to take exquisite care of ourselves first or else we are left feeling overwhelmed, drained and hopeless. After a sexual trauma we often wonder – can we ever feel beautiful, sexual, and/or feminine again and still feel safe? Can we trust others – or even ourselves – again? The answer is a resounding yes. Through a multi-modal approach that infuses relational, experiential and body-oriented approaches I help clients overcome trauma, create healthy boundaries, increase resilience, reclaim their sense of self and create the lives they wish to lead.

After surviving sexual assault, you may feel numb and disconnected from the world or you might feel overwhelmed by emotion. I use EMDR (rapid eye movement) therapy and other techniques to help you reprocess traumatic memories to reduce debilitating trauma symptoms like “flashbacks,” panic attacks, and feeling on edge. When you no longer have that gut-wrenching feeling of fear when you’re reminded of your trauma, you’re able to make clearer decisions, feel calmer, and connect with others safely.

I am a certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR can look very different from traditional talk therapy. I work to integrate talk therapy processing and EMDR together. It is considered the “gold standard” treatment for traumatic episodes and PTSD. Evidence shows it is also effective in the treatment of: phobias, philias, addiction, grief and loss, attachment disorders, depression, anxiety, etc. My niche' is sexual trauma combining my two specialties.

James Foley LCSW 60 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10165 www.sexuallycompulsive.com

I have years of experience working with trauma and related disorders I am trained in EMDR, EFT, DBT, ACT and Clinical Hypnosis my intervention program is designed to address relationships, life stages and life changes from an integrative perspective affirmation guided imaginary meditation anger management psychoeducation on communication skills and coping skills The program is directed to individuals presenting PTSD, sexual trauma, and eating disorders

With over a quarter century & 40k hours of expert treatment for all types of sexual misbehaviors provided, I give you an evidence based, research oriented treating of “sex addiction”, Out of Control Sexual Behavior, App Hook-Ups, Strip Clubs, Massage Parlors, compulsivity, Professional Sexual Misconduct, serial affairs, porn, as a Certified sexual misbehavior professional. James Foley LCSW 60 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10165 718-208-6135 www.sexuallycompulsive.com

I am trained in several trauma-informed strategies. I currently hold certification in Complex PTSD and Trauma (CCPT) Levels I and II, which incorporates EMDR, Parts Work (IFS), CPT, and Polyvagal Theory. I am well-versed in Emotional Freedom Tapping (EFT), DBT, CBT, Family Systems, Somatic Psychology, and the impact of trauma on the brain.

I will do everything I can to make my clients feel safe when discussing these sensitive topics. Some clients like to discuss the actual event(s), and some like to focus on how it has impacted their relationships, their self-esteem, their attachment style, their relationship to sex, and more. I provide psychoeducation on the impacts of abuse and assault and offer various paths of healing. And sometimes you just need a safe place to cry, and I can provide that too.

#metoo. I believe you. I'm here to offer you a safe space to cry, grieve, scream, question, rage, mourn, and go through all the waves of emotions that arise after a sexual assault. I am here to listen, hold empathetic space, ae will take the healing journey at your own pace. If you’ve been feeling alone in life lately, feeling like no one truly understands the depths of the pain you are in, or feeling like you’ve lost parts of yourself and the person you used to be, let's get in touch.

All forms of trauma can cause excruciating symptoms. Trauma perpetrated by other people, especially when sexual in nature, comes with its own particular challenges. I spent over four years working exclusively with survivors of sexual trauma and can bring extensive training and experience to the conversation. If past trauma is still infringing upon your present, you deserve to have space and support for healing.

I have years of experience doing crisis intervention and counseling with trauma survivors. There is no right or wrong path for healing; you are your own expert on the pace that feels right for you,

I have experience working with male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and the confusing consequences of this unique type of abuse. Often, male survivors of sexual abuse struggle with intimacy, relationships, perfectionism, codependency, identity, dissociation, self sabotage, and overall boundary complications across different relationships. I can support you in the process of developing a treatment plan and following through to address your individual concerns step by step.