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The decision to heal after
recognition of the effects, making a commitment to go through the healing
process. |
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The emergency stage happens when
memories and feelings emerge and can appear to be as strong as the initial
crisis of abuse. |
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Remembering incidents and feelings
of the past abuse occurs even if they have been repressed. |
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Believing it happened and that it
was hurtful is a necessary stage in the process. |
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Breaking silence helps reduce the
shame of being a victim and changes the childhood pattern of keeping the secret. |
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Understanding that it wasnt
their fault is another stage that reverses the self-blame and places
responsibility on the abuser. |
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Making contact with the child
within is necessary to feel compassion for the vulnerable child they were and
integrate this with the adult survivor they are now. |
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Trusting oneself in your
perceptions and feelings becomes a new guide for action. |
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Grieving and mourning the pain of
the past, letting it go, and moving on. |
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Anger the backbone of healing
is a liberating emotion that needs to be directed at those responsible for the
abuse. |
|
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Disclosures and confrontations with
the abuser are not for every victim/survivor but can be a very powerful act of
healing. |
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Forgiveness of the abuser is not a
necessary part of the healing process, but forgiveness for oneself is essential. |
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Spirituality is a personal
experience that is found through ones own choice of traditional religion,
meditation, nature or a support group. Having a sense of power greater than
oneself can be helpful in the healing process. |
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Resolution and moving on are a
result of working through the process of healing, dealing with the abuse as a
part of your history, and integrating this into a new changed perspective on
life. |
| |
Groups are recommended. |
