I am an adult survivor of child abuse and need to find a support group soon. I don't have insurance and would love to get counseling from a therapist.
I live in Burlington County NJ. Any ideas where to start?
2006-08-17 16:18:28 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Thank you everyone for your support!
2006-08-21 12:15:46 · update #1
I would highly recommend a book entitled "Shortcut through therapy". It changed my life. There are many things that have happened to many of us as children. But we are not children anymore and we are not in that situation any more. I used to live in the past. Constantly thinking about how bad I had it. I eventually learned that the past can only have a hold on me if I make it do so. That sounds weird, but it is true. If I spend my time thinking about how bad things sucked back then, then I feel bad right now. I choose not to do that to myself. A lot of people think that are emotions are a response to the things that happen to us. This could not be further from the truth. Every one of us has a running dialog going on in our heads the entire time we are awake. It is important to learn to pay attention to the things that we say to ourselves, because that and only that is what controls our emotions. If someone calls me a *&%$& or whatever and I think to myself "how rediculous", then it does not hurt me. On the other hand if I think to myself "maybe it's true", than I absorb that and I feel bad. You can spend years in therapy and never gain an inch. In most cases it does more harm than good because most therapists want to focus on the negative and make you relive the past. That is guarenteed to make you feel bad every time. Why put yourself through that? Get the book, read it slowly. It will give you several realizations and you will find happiness before you know it. Attitude it everything. You are what you think about. Think about the past and you will relive it over and over and you will stay in constant pain...and it is completely unnecessary.
2006-08-21 20:10:05 · answer #1 · answered by William E 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would look for an online chat room. But what you are doing right now is good too. I am also a survivor of child abuse and I know that the scars are deep. Keep talking. Keep receiving positive feedback. Nothing you say will harm you. Everything you don't say will. There is an organization called "Adult Children of Alcoholics" (ACA). They might be able to help or direct you. Good luck!
2006-08-17 16:41:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am truely sorry that you had a tough childhood. You might consider making a true friend. A true friend is someone you can speak to about such things. Speaking about these things can help, especially when reflected through the eyes of a person that cares about you in a special way.
Therapists, talk groups etc are no substitute for a caring friend, though they can help the friendless.
I don't know your exact circumstance, but I hope you find your way.
2006-08-17 16:28:10 · answer #3 · answered by Bernard B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't have any advice on support groups but if you like to read this is a very valuable book to read:
Bad Childhood-Good Life
Subtitle: How to Blossom And Thrive in Spite of an Unhappy Childhood
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
This comes in audiotapes. Good luck.
2006-08-17 17:02:29 · answer #4 · answered by fasn8n_67 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check with your local YWCA, they usually counsel survivors of child abuse and offer groups
2006-08-17 16:24:10 · answer #5 · answered by moma 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have a talk with your clergy...
If your church cannot help, they will refer you to someone.
2006-08-17 20:38:54 · answer #6 · answered by marnefirstinfantry 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋