The session space

therapy for human trafficking survivors

I see you. I believe in you. Let's walk together on your journey towards trauma recovery.

Survivors of forced sexual exploitation leave their abuse with a tremendous amount of strength and bravery. But along with this , many report feeling a sense of disconnection from their loved ones, their community and their selves as they move forward to rebuild their lives.

Leaving sexual exploitation brings reflection and sometimes avoidance of the parts of life that are painful. Overwhelming thoughts and emotions, flashbacks and nightmares are common after leaving. Difficulties adjusting to the new normal and the challenges it brings are also a reality for many survivors.

When providing counselling and psychotherapy with survivors of human trafficking, I meet them where they are. For some, this may include working on coping skills to deal with trauma they experienced while in the game. For others, working through childhood trauma and identifying the traps in life that kept them stuck in exploitative relationships and circumstances are areas that need healing as they move forward. Sometimes I work with folks to help them re-write the old beliefs that they have about themselves, their history and what it means to trust again.

Street cred with survivors

Background and Counselling Style

From sitting with young folks on the couches of safe houses, to witnessing school graduations and new parents break the cycle of intergenerational trauma, I have seen the transformation.

Since 2018, I have been privileged to walk alongside survivors of sex trafficking at different stages of their exit. This has included providing individual/group therapy as well as safety planning and case management. I have also supported survivors through yoga, residential counselling and survivor led peer programming.

My work with survivors focuses on empowerment and freedom. I work from a feminist, sex work and sex positive space and believe that the folks I support are the experts of their own lives. I view healing as a combination of accessing one's strengths through building coping strategies and connection as well as acknowledging the pain from the past while fostering new meanings, new relationships and new ways of being.