Psychiatrists in 19102
Dr. Jessica Spellun
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Not accepting new clients
Life is complicated. Despite our best efforts, everyone struggles at times. I understand that making changes in your life can be overwhelming. I encourage you to gather courage, ask questions, and have hope that things can get better if you are willing to work for it. My goal is to create a safe, caring, and nonjudgmental space for clients to be heard and understood. My approach prioritizes individuality and a holistic view of emotional wellbeing. Communicating feelings in a safe environment promotes healing through expression, leads to new insights about yourself, and can help you form more meaningful connections with others.
Life is complicated. Despite our best efforts, everyone struggles at times. I understand that making changes in your life can be overwhelming. I encourage you to gather courage, ask questions, and have hope that things can get better if you are willing to work for it. My goal is to create a safe, caring, and nonjudgmental space for clients to be heard and understood. My approach prioritizes individuality and a holistic view of emotional wellbeing. Communicating feelings in a safe environment promotes healing through expression, leads to new insights about yourself, and can help you form more meaningful connections with others.
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Sexual Abuse Psychiatrists
How do therapists treat sexual abuse?
A good therapist will be nonjudgmental and possibly demonstrate active listening, repeating back what the client says to show that they have understood. These skills allow people to feel comfortable discussing their traumatic experiences openly. Some important treatment goals are to restore a sense of safety and to rebuild confidence. In addition to working one-on-one with the patient, a therapist might bring in supportive family members to assist the client.
Do you have to talk extensively about sexual abuse in therapy?
Survivors frequently find it difficult to describe what happened to them out loud. They can even still be in a state of denial if the sexual abuse occurred recently. It is important for survivors to acknowledge that what happened isn’t their fault and to challenge and reappraise any unhealthy feelings or thoughts as they arise. Art therapy and play therapy are useful non-verbal means of communication for some survivors.
How long does treatment for sexual abuse take?
Recovery from sexual abuse can be a long and difficult process. Some survivors are able to move on naturally on their own, given time, while others require the guidance of a trained therapist. Therapy needs vary and can range from a few sessions to months or even years. Healing from sexual abuse takes time, and everyone’s journey will look a little different.
Can trauma symptoms caused by sexual abuse come back after treatment?
As occurs in many cases of trauma, survivors of sexual abuse may experience PTSD-like symptoms long after the abuse has ceased or after an initial round of treatment has occurred. In such a case, there is evidence that prolonged exposure therapy is a useful treatment for survivors, and may be more efficacious than supportive counseling alone. While triggers may continue to cause distress, the idea is that, with time and repeated exposure, their power will fade, allowing survivors to move on with their lives.