Talking About Sexual Harassment In Therapy?

[Penguin number20]

I have had to contend with sexual harassment regularly as a adolescent. Nothing crazy. I was never raped or molested. Things that are quite common for girls to be perfectly honest, although perhaps more than usual. Nothing crazy, but definitely things that would easily fall into the sexual harassment category.
Problem is... I feel so embarrassed talking about sexual harassment in therapy as I feel it doesn't 'count' as a trauma.
I feel like I'm being overly-dramatic even though they have had a big impact on me.

 

[illusionist]

It may not count as trauma but maybe if you talk to your therapist, it will help you process it, and help you move on from it. Don't label it, then you may find it easier.

 

[Whyteferret]

I have had to contend with sexual harassment regularly as a adolescent. Nothing crazy. I was never raped or m...

It is trauma. It impacted yourself and your view of life

 

[Sandstone]

Anything that has a big impact on you belongs in therapy. It affects how you view yourself and the world, so it affects how you live and how you heal.

I've talked in therapy about the accidental death of my young cat, not because it was a trauma, but because it was a confirmation of the randomness of life and death. Sexual harassment is going to link to many things about who holds power, your fight to self-determination, your role as a woman, the security and justice of the world. I'd talk about it.

 

[EveHarrington]

Even if something isn't traumatic, if it affects our lives, it's worthy of being discussed in therapy.

(I'm not commenting on if it was traumatic or not.)

I hope you can reach out to your therapist and work through the effects of the sexual harassment. You deserve healing. :)