Beverly Hills Sexual Assault Counseling

Therapy for Sexual Assault Survivors—Counseling in Beverly Hills, MI

#metoo is a short hashtag, but it means so much to so many people. A number of high-profile celebrities spoke up about sexual violence, but most people who participated in the social media movement were ordinary, regular people. The movement showed how sexual violence is a far too common occurrence. Whether it is rape, sexual assault, or sexual harassment, it is often a traumatic experience. Along with highlight the problem, the movement has also shown a way for healing. More and more, survivors are learning important truths like… the violence was not your fault… you did not provoke it or deserve it… healing is hard, but it is possible. More and more, survivors are being connected to the resources they need to recovery from the assault—physically and emotionally. One of those resources is often counseling. Skilled therapists can often help people who have survived sexual violence process what has happened to them and find the healing they need and deserve.

“I can be changed by what happens to me,
but I refuse to be reduced by it.”
—​ Maya Angelou

If you have been sexually assaulted, raped, or sexually harassed, know that it was not your fault. Know that what happened to you does not define you. Know that help is available. Thriveworks Beverly Hills has worked with many survivors of sexual violence, and we are ready to work with you.

Injuries from Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is a particularly difficult kind of violence. It can leave behind a number of injuries that are both visible and invisible. Not all wounds bruise and bleed, but some do. Sexual violence is often a violating experience that is both physical and emotional. It can leave people traumatized. Each instance of sexual violence is different, and each individual will respond in their own way. However, when victims share about the injuries they sustained during the violence, they often speak about similar themes. Here are just a few of the psychological/emotional and physical injuries people may sustain during an act of sexual violence.

  • Psychological and Emotional Injuries. Sexual violence can harm an individual’s body but also their soul. Many victims describe the psychological and emotional impact of surviving rape, sexual assault, and more. They often describe feeling great shame and feeling worthless—as an object to be used instead of as a person to be valued. Survivors may experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and its symptoms such as flashbacks, hyper-vigilance, the inability to relax, nightmares, distorted beliefs, panic attacks, and more. Survivors often have difficulty sleeping and eating. They may develop a depressive disorder or an eating disorder. Self-harm and suicide ideation are also common wounds that survivors of sexual assault experience.
  • Physical Injuries. It is not uncommon for victims of sexual assault to sustain physical injuries as well. The assault may leave them with cuts, bruises, broken bones, and other physical ailments. Survivors may also be exposed to sexually transmitted diseases, or they may become impregnated.

Finding Safety: Healing from Sexual Violence

One of the more difficult aspects of sexual violence can be the deep shame it often piles upon a victim. This shame often shows up in the form of lies that swirl around a victim’s head, lies such as… you provoked it and you deserved it… you could have stopped it if you had done something differently… you are not tainted… it was your fault… you cannot speak about what happened to you. These lies can keep people stuck in the violence. Healing often requires people to come to a place where they know and feel the truth, truth such as… it was not your fault… you did not provoke it or deserve it… there was nothing you could have done… you are brave and strong and kind. Survivors of sexual violence did not deserve what happened to them. They deserve healing and safety. Often, survivors find these through working with a therapist.

Sexual violence can take many different forms, and each individual’s experiences will be unique in terms of the trauma they experience and also in terms of their healing journey. Skilled therapists can often guide people toward the right healing path for them. Survivors do not need generic treatment, but they need someone to attend to their unique injuries. Experienced mental health professionals can do just that. Here are a few tips for finding a counselor for your unique needs…

  1. When calling to get more information about a specific therapists, ask about their past experiences working with victims of sexual violence. How long have they helped people recover from sexual assault? What therapeutic methods do they use? What do those methods entail? Medical doctors have specialties, and so do mental health professionals. It is reasonable to expect your therapist to have training and experience in helping victims of sexual violence.
  2. If you decide to schedule an appointment, know that the rapport between you and the therapist is important. Therapy itself may be hard work, but you should feel safe and comfortable in the process. It is ok to switch therapists if you do not feel safe with an individual.

Appointments for Sexual Assault Victims at Thriveworks Beverly Hills

If you have survived sexual violence and are ready to meet with a counselor, know that Thriveworks Beverly Hills is ready to walk with you as you heal. We offer evening and weekend appointment, and we accept many different insurance plans. New clients often have their first appointment within 24 hours of their first call. Let’s get started. Call today.

Thriveworks Counseling Birmingham

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: 5★★★★★ based on 14 5 1 14 reviews. See all reviews
Thriveworks Counseling Birmingham

Great therapist

★★★★★
Andrea Golden is easy to talk with and goes or of her way to give a balanced perspective.
Thriveworks Counseling Birmingham

Lindsey is great!

★★★★★
I had the honor of working with Lindsey at a previous job and she is one of the sweetest individuals I have ever met. Lindsey listens intently to everyone and is open to people from all walks of life. Lindsey is knowledgeable and passionate about advocating for mental health. This makes Lindsey a great leader and counselor. I would refer anyone I know to Lindsey!
Thriveworks Counseling Birmingham

Mrs

★★★★★
I’ve known Tammy Wagstaff for quite some time. She was very helpful to me for finding my strengths and improving my working and personal relationships. She is a good listener and is able to “see” my point of view . I would highly recommend this counselor
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Review for Sandra Quigley

★★★★★
*****I have been a patient of Sandra's for nearly 2 years now and I really can't say enough good things about her work with me. She is a true Christian counselor and that was exactly the perspective I needed to guide me down the path God was trying to lead me. She definitely strengthened my faith and made many of life's big problems seem like small speed bumps when looking at the big picture!! I highly recommend Sandra Q. if you are looking for the someone who honestly cares about you and the journey you are on. Remember, there’s ultimately only one way to peace in your life, and that’s to walk daily with the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus!! *****
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I really enjoyed meeting Melissa.

★★★★★
I really enjoyed meeting Melissa. It was easy to converse with her. She was very professional but completely relatable too. I would definitely recommend Thriveworks!
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Moving with meaning

★★★★★
Much Gratitude Christine, You're helping me become the best version of myself. The self I've always pictured the vision is clear and I am ready to LIVE!!
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I wouldn’t recommend it – one of the worst therapists I’ve ever seen

★☆☆☆☆
The doctor (PhD) I saw for therapy decided, on the second session, to pay more attention to doing things on his phone than to listening to me. He thought he was hiding what he was doing behind his portfolio, but he was not. I could see the reflection of what he was doing, and he was looking down more than up. He was pretending to listen but didn't do a very good job of that, because when I stopped talking, he would incorrectly try to restate what I said or, make a comment on what I said which turned out to not be relevant because it was clear he wasn't listening. He did not seem to want to be there. It was a horrible experience. I called the next day to complain to the lady on the phone, and got a sincere "I'm sorry" and that's it. When I got the bill (very expensive, by the way), I have been attempting to call the office to pay it over the phone but I keep getting told that the people that do the billing are currently busy and that I should call back. It should not be that difficult for someone to take a credit card number and apply it to my bill, especially a bill I shouldn't have to pay due to horrible service. I hope the other therapists at Thriveworks are better than the one I selected, and actually have interest in helping their patients.
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Couldn’t be happier

★★★★★
We couldn't be happier with the staff and help we have received for our family at the practice. Christine has been particularly helpful in assisting myself and our family get back on track.
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Comfortable

★★★★★
Comfortable, private space for anyone and everyone in the family to get the personal time and space they need.
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She helped change my life

★★★★★
Dear Marcy, I can't thank you enough for recommending your therapist Dawn Gaden to me. She has helped change my life. I have always struggled with feeling misunderstood. But recently I fell into a deep depression; beyond something I could resolve myself. Therapy was required for my recovery. Since childhood I have been weary of therapists because I would talk through my problems but I didn't get tools and strategies to handle my problems better. Dawn has changed that. For the first time I leave each appointment not only relieved from having talked my issues through, but more importantly with tools to help me move forward. She has introduced me to methods I had considered silly, but now I could live without. I am proud of the person I am becoming and the journey I have chosen to take. Thank you for all you have done to change my life and my family's future.
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She Inspires Hope

★★★★★
I found Sandra Quigley on the web while searching for a Christian counselor. I was having a lot of anxiety about making a career change. She not only helped through the anxieties, she also helped me with concerns in my personal life. Sandra's non-judgmental and compassionate approach, made me feel comfortable and hopeful.
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Karen Waldrop

★★★★★
Ms. Waldrop is an active listener and excellent problem solver. She offers practical resolutions to everyday problems for those suffering with depression, life changes, anxiety, and stress. She provides empathy in a quiet manner with a gentle sense of humor. She is capable to offer a variety of tools for those seeking positive and lasting life changes. If you are seeking someone with whom you can discuss your deepest personal issues in a confidential manner I would highly recommend Ms. Karen Waldrop as your therapist.
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Everything I needed

★★★★★
I found Sandra Quigley in the back of a magazine (Psychology Today). I desperately needed someone to talk to. Newly retired with plenty of time to allow my mind to take over my life, I felt constantly anxious and very out of sorts. Enter Sandra Quigley- compassionate, non-judgmental, kind, and gentle. She is everything that I needed to heal myself. I had never talked to a therapist before, so this was a new venture. It was very important to me that I find someone with whom I could feel comfortable. Right away, I felt comfortable. I did have assignments; I never was prescribed a single drug. She went out of her way to help me specifically with my issues- finding me articles, books, telling stories. I never felt uncomfortable; I felt and still feel that my time with Sandra is valuable. With Sandra’s help, I have unearthed a much calmer, happier, together self that now wakes up each morning looking forward to the day ahead. We all have our baggage- I never once realized that I could unpack that bag and put my crap away. I now get to walk through life so much lighter!!
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So helpful!

★★★★★
I really love the helpful and peaceful approach at Thriveworks. I have known Marcy for a long time and her ability to work through tough spots and discuss personalities makes her a lot of fun for me. Time flies when we chat and that is a good thing for a guy like me who is always worried about time. I also love Dawn Gadens video blogs! Wow...so insightful and easy to access. I don't see Dawn in counseling but if she is that good on video I have to believe she is great in person. Give a shot...I bet you will love them.
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Thriveworks Counseling

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  • 31000 Lahser Rd #5
    Beverly Hills, MI 48025

  • Mon-Fri:7:30AM-9PM
    Saturday:
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