Episode Overview
On this episode of the Sexology Podcast I’m joined by Rachel Grant to talk about recovering from sexual abuse. Rachel is a Sexual Abuse Recovery Coach and author with her own childhood sexual abuse experience.
Someone who experiences childhood sexual abuse can experience a wide variety of effects. There are two common things that can happen. The first is when someone becomes hyper sexual or hyper aroused. Sexuality and sex becomes an arena in which they are trying to use sexuality as a way to understand themselves or to prove their worth or value. The other outcome is resistance or detachment from sexuality. This can show up as avoiding or withholding sex or it can also be disassociation during sex.
Next many individuals will start to explore sexual orientation and really try to understand who and what they are attracted too. Many individuals who have suffered these experiences may operate from a place of obligation when it comes to sex. The question is really how can we get out of that place of obligation when it comes to sex?
During our conversation, Rachel and continue to discuss the impact of sexual abuse on a child’s developing brain, becoming more trauma informed, specific ways the brain is impacted, how the brain can be rewired and can heal and skewed beliefs based on abuse.
Rachel recommends taking space to be with your body and check in with pleasure, investigate your desires, update your rules and shed your old sexual script. Ask yourself, which of these things in my life are me and which of these are adaptive or protective behaviors.
We’ll also look at the different stages of trauma and what each of those look like. The three stages are victim, survivor and beyond survivor. Learn more about sexual abuse trauma, recovery and how to navigate life post trauma during this episode.
Highlights
- How Rachel became interested in her work
- Rachel’s personal experience with childhood sexual abuse
- How do I actually heal from sexual abuse
- Sexual challenges that survivors face
- Impacts on the brain
- Assessment and ACE screening
- What is the impact of sexual abuse on a child’s developing brain?
- Connection between trauma and experiences in our lives
About Dr. Nazanin Moali
Dr. Nazanin Moali is a clinical psychologist, sex expert, sexologist and sex therapist in the Los Angeles area. Dr. Moali has helped couples and individuals overcome sexual concerns, including pornography addiction. Dr. Moali hosts confidential consultation sessions for clients and potential clients in her Torrance and Hermosa Beach offices. You can also book a session with her online, via a secure video-counseling platform.
About Rachel Grant
Rachel grant is a therapist and holds an MA in Counselling Psychology. She is the founder and owner of Rachel Grant Coaching as well as the author of Beyond Surviving. Additionally she has a program called Beyond Surviving to change the way we think about and heal from abuse.
For More Information
Sexology Podcast
For more information and resources, visit the website at sexologypodcast.com To join the conversation on social media, use the hashtag #sexologypodcast. You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. If you have questions or inquiries, email us at drmoali@sexologypodcast.com Click here to get the 101 Ways to Keep Your Relationship Hot checklist. If you’re interested in working with Dr. Nazanin Moali, you can find out more about her services here.