Counseling is crucial for survivors of sexual trauma, and it is an important step in helping people process emotions from abuse. Sexual trauma is any sexual act performed on a person that creates significant distress. Unfortunately, many victims of sexual abuse avoid help for years, and many may never get help. The therapeutic steps offered during counseling help survivors of trauma handle the painful emotions that may surface at any point during day-to-day living.

Participation in a Shelter from the Storm© support group is not a replacement for professional counseling. Most sexual abuse victims experience profound emotional problems. Virtually all sexual abuse survivors could benefit from professional care. Since sexual abuse is the most personal and damaging form of betrayal, recovery from sexual abuse can be the most intense and emotionally challenging form of recovery. Survivors of sexual abuse often struggle with powerful issues such as shame, thoughts of suicide, addictions, and even dissociation.

For these reasons, it is strongly recommended that participants begin the recovery process with a professional evaluation. Subsequently, they are required to connect with a professional counselor on a weekly basis. This person should be trained in working with survivors of sexual abuse to monitor the participants progress while participating in the sexual abuse recovery group.