Sexual Abuse Counselling
Sexual abuse counselling provides you a safe therapeutic relationship from which to explore how sexual abuse may have affected you.
Everyone’s experience of sexual abuse is unique so too will their experience of sexual abuse recovery.
Counselling can provide you a place to talk about the abuse (it may be the first time you have ever talked about it, or it may be a repetitive need).
Through talking together, we can determine how the abuse has impacted on your life and develop a plan to address the affects, so you can move on through your life with knowledge you are healing and gaining strength in areas the abuse has impacted.
At the same time, counselling can uncover hidden attributes and qualities that you may have forgotten and strengthen these at the same time.
Everyone’s experience of sexual abuse is unique so too will their experience of sexual abuse recovery.
Counselling can provide you a place to talk about the abuse (it may be the first time you have ever talked about it, or it may be a repetitive need).
Through talking together, we can determine how the abuse has impacted on your life and develop a plan to address the affects, so you can move on through your life with knowledge you are healing and gaining strength in areas the abuse has impacted.
At the same time, counselling can uncover hidden attributes and qualities that you may have forgotten and strengthen these at the same time.
The long- term effects of child sexual abuse can be so persuasive that it’s sometimes hard to pinpoint exactly how the abuse affected you. It permeates everything: your sense of self, your intimate relationships, your sexuality, your parenting, your work, life, even your sanity. Everywhere you look, you see its effects.
Bass and Davis (1988) p. 33
What To Expect
It is understandable and normal to feel nervous, anxious or overwhelmed when coming to your first few sessions.
Feel free to bring along a support person if this is helpful. It is during these fist sessions that you and I are getting to know each other and establish a therapeutic relationship.
The first two sessions are for you to decide whether you think we are a good fit and for you to provide some details of the abuse, so I can lodge an Engagement Form with ACC which is the beginning of the claim process.
A further four sessions are granted for us to look more closely at details pertaining to the abuse and determine the impact it has had on your life.
During these four sessions I will explain to you different pathways you can take to reclaim your life from the effects of childhood sexual abuse which can vary from a shorter term recovery period to a longer term healing time frame.
I welcome any questions you may have at any point during the process.
Feel free to bring along a support person if this is helpful. It is during these fist sessions that you and I are getting to know each other and establish a therapeutic relationship.
The first two sessions are for you to decide whether you think we are a good fit and for you to provide some details of the abuse, so I can lodge an Engagement Form with ACC which is the beginning of the claim process.
A further four sessions are granted for us to look more closely at details pertaining to the abuse and determine the impact it has had on your life.
During these four sessions I will explain to you different pathways you can take to reclaim your life from the effects of childhood sexual abuse which can vary from a shorter term recovery period to a longer term healing time frame.
I welcome any questions you may have at any point during the process.
My Undertakings
- To provide you with unconditional positive regard and treat you with respect and dignity
- To provide you with a comfortable and safe place for which you can talk confidentially
- To listen to you carefully and non- judgementally and help you explore the issues you want to explore
- Be prepared and ready at the scheduled time we have agreed to meet
- To fully explain the process at every stage and be transparent in all undertakings we engage in together
- To view you more than the impact the abuse has had on you and your life
- To work at a pace that I see is most effective for you
- To offer you ideas and options for healing that I think may benefit you, but you decide on that
- To maintain your privacy and confidentiality as much as possible
My Expectations of You
- You come to your scheduled sessions
- If you cannot attend your session, to give me notice of 24 hours- either phone, email or text me
- You have reflected on your previous session and any positive developments you have noticed since last coming and have considered what would be best for you to talk about in the current session
Limits of Confidentiality
All conversations had with me are kept totally confidential.
However, if under the Privacy Act 1993 I believe your life or health is at risk, or you are a risk to other people, I may consult with my Supervisor (your name will be kept confidential) and may disclose information about you to a nominated family member, your doctor, the Crisis Team or the Police. I will let you know I am going to do this.
Other people that are privy to some of your information are your ACC ISSC Case Manager and people who will make the decision on whether you are entitled to funding for counselling, and the Health provider Pain Management and Rehabilitation Services who I am contracted to, to undertake this specialised area of counselling.
These organisations must comply with the privacy Act 1993 to ensure your information remain safe and confidential.
However, if under the Privacy Act 1993 I believe your life or health is at risk, or you are a risk to other people, I may consult with my Supervisor (your name will be kept confidential) and may disclose information about you to a nominated family member, your doctor, the Crisis Team or the Police. I will let you know I am going to do this.
Other people that are privy to some of your information are your ACC ISSC Case Manager and people who will make the decision on whether you are entitled to funding for counselling, and the Health provider Pain Management and Rehabilitation Services who I am contracted to, to undertake this specialised area of counselling.
These organisations must comply with the privacy Act 1993 to ensure your information remain safe and confidential.
Case Notes
I will record brief case notes which assist me in monitoring your progress towards your counselling goals.
These are recorded on my computer which is password protected and in a specific password protected counselling software programme.
All information stored on this programme is encrypted to meet Privacy Act 1993 specifications.
These are recorded on my computer which is password protected and in a specific password protected counselling software programme.
All information stored on this programme is encrypted to meet Privacy Act 1993 specifications.
Report Writing
At various stages of the ACC-ISSC Counselling process, I must write and submit reports to keep ACC informed of your progress and to assess claims.
I will ensure you have read each report before I submit it to ensure I have recorded all the details accurately.
If you feel I have written anything that is not correct please bring this my attention so it can be amended.
I will ensure you have read each report before I submit it to ensure I have recorded all the details accurately.
If you feel I have written anything that is not correct please bring this my attention so it can be amended.
Fee Structure
There is no cost to you in receiving this service as ACC will consider your claim and approve your entitlement based on your preference for treatment options and possible assessment if your think you require this.
Sessions
Sessions are 50-minutes and we agree to meet either weekly or fortnightly.
If you cease to leave counselling you may do at any time but I ask that we meet for at least one session following your decision.
This is important and necessary in order to have a proper ending and to determine progress made or recommend alternative support/referral if necessary.
This is also an opportunity for you to evaluate the outcome of your counselling.
If you cease to leave counselling you may do at any time but I ask that we meet for at least one session following your decision.
This is important and necessary in order to have a proper ending and to determine progress made or recommend alternative support/referral if necessary.
This is also an opportunity for you to evaluate the outcome of your counselling.
Extra Support & Crisis Situations
I am only able to offer you limited support outside of session times. I am willing to make extra appointments as my schedule permits.
It is okay for you to email or phone me during normal work hours, if you can make contact with me, but I may not be able to talk long or may be in a session with another client in which case you may go to my voice message service.
While I do clear this frequently, it may be some time before I can get back to you.
In a crisis situation I encourage you to make use of the public crisis services such as:
It is okay for you to email or phone me during normal work hours, if you can make contact with me, but I may not be able to talk long or may be in a session with another client in which case you may go to my voice message service.
While I do clear this frequently, it may be some time before I can get back to you.
In a crisis situation I encourage you to make use of the public crisis services such as:
- Lifeline (0800 543 354)
- Need to talk 1737 (1737) or
- Your local Community Mental Health Team which is Te Haika for the Wairarapa, Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast( 0800 745 477).
Cancellations/Changes To Appointments
Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you wish to cancel or change your session. This allows sufficient time to re-book your session.
Complaints
I am a NZAC (New Zealand Association of Counsellors) Registered Counsellor and am bound by their Code of Ethics and practice and subject to their Complaints Procedure.
I am also a NZ Registered Social Worker and belong to the ANZASW (Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers) and am bound by both their Codes of Ethics and subject to their Complaints Procedure.
I take all complaints very seriously. Please feel free to raise any concerns with me in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with my handling of your concern, you may lodge your complaint to either of the above-mentioned professional bodies.
I am also a NZ Registered Social Worker and belong to the ANZASW (Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers) and am bound by both their Codes of Ethics and subject to their Complaints Procedure.
I take all complaints very seriously. Please feel free to raise any concerns with me in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with my handling of your concern, you may lodge your complaint to either of the above-mentioned professional bodies.