How to Heal from Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence

How to Heal from Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence: A Path to Recovery Experiencing sexual assault or domestic violence can leave deep emotional, physical, and psychological wounds. Survivors often struggle with feelings of fear, shame, guilt, anger, or confusion. These experiences can disrupt relationships, self-esteem, and daily life.

The good news is: healing is possible. Recovery does not mean forgetting what happened, but learning how to reclaim safety, rebuild self-worth, and move forward with strength. At Aram Connection, therapist Sarah Barletta, M.A., LPC specializes in working with survivors, offering compassionate, trauma-informed care to support every step of the healing journey.

• Understanding the Impact
• Survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence may experience:
• Emotional effects: anxiety, depression, PTSD, shame, guilt, or numbness.
• Physical symptoms: sleep disturbances, chronic pain, headaches, or fatigue.
• Relationship challenges: difficulty trusting others, feeling isolated, or struggling with intimacy.
• Self-blame: questioning whether it was their fault (it never is).
• Recognizing these responses as normal after trauma is the first step toward recovery.

Steps Toward Healing

1. Create Safety: The foundation of recovery is regaining a sense of safety. This may include building a support network, developing a safety plan, or establishing healthy boundaries in relationships.
2. Seek Professional Support: Trauma-informed therapy helps survivors process experiences in a safe, non-judgmental environment. With the guidance of a therapist like Sarah Barletta, survivors can explore their feelings, reduce symptoms of trauma, and develop healthier coping strategies.
3. Reclaim Your Voice
   Healing involves breaking the silence. Sharing your story, whether with a therapist, support
   group, or trusted loved one—can reduce isolation and restore a sense of empowerment.
4. Practice Self-Compassion
   Many survivors blame themselves for the abuse. Therapy supports a shift from self-blame to
   self-kindness, recognizing that the responsibility lies with the abuser, not the survivor.
5. Build Resilience and Hope
   Recovery is not linear. There may be setbacks, but each step forward builds resilience,
   confidence, and a greater sense of peace.

Why Work with Sarah Barletta at Aram Connection?

Sarah Barletta, M.A., LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. She provides therapy in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for diverse clients. Sarah’s approach is warm, compassionate, and empowering. She creates a safe environment where survivors can heal at their own pace, explore the impact of trauma, and rebuild their lives with dignity and strength.

Taking the First Step

If you are a survivor of sexual assault or domestic violence, please know: you are not alone, and healing is possible. Recovery begins with reaching out for support.