Complex Feelings and Shame about Childhood Sexual Abuse

Sep 26, 2024

This discussion uncovers the complex emotions survivors of childhood sexual abuse face, particularly the overwhelming shame that can arise from confusing experiences. It highlights the critical need for therapeutic support to process these feelings and emphasizes that blame lies solely with the abuser. The podcast also explores the healing power of storytelling and the importance of shared experiences in fostering understanding and empathy. Listeners are encouraged to confront their emotions and recognize their worthiness of healing.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

Understanding the Complex Emotions of Childhood Sexual Abuse

01:53 • 7min

Understanding Shame and Healing from Childhood Abuse

08:32 • 6min

Learn to regulate your nervous system with my free course- Grounding Skills for Anxiety, and PTSD: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd/?utm_medium=YTDescription&utm_source=YouTube

This podcast is for those of you who were sexually abused as children, who perhaps carry some shame because you had mixed and complicated feelings about that abuse. And what I mean by that is you were groomed, and maybe you liked or initiated some aspects of the situation, and now you perhaps feel ashamed, because you feel confused about whether you were a victim or a willing participant. This can directly contribute to PTSD and CPTSD. I think our collective silence about this topic leaves survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse feeling like they’re the only one who felt confused about their part in the abuse. That leads to shame that leaves them thinking that they’re broken, bad or deviant. And CPTSD can impact people for a lifetime.

By the end of this podcast, you’ll be able to understand how the complicated nature of Childhood sexual abuse leads to shame, and also, how to work through that.

Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell

Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com

Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell

Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books

Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe

If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.