The Turning Point provides individual therapy at no cost to survivors over the age of 13 who are victims of any form of sexual violence.

It is not uncommon for those who have been sexually assaulted or abused to develop various levels of difficulty in personal and social relationships. Some may develop clinically significant disorders. Some survivors may experience Acute Trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Left untreated, these individuals can experience moderate to serious difficulty in dealing with social settings such as work, school, and even shopping malls.

A common difficulty for a survivor is the inability to feel safe with others. Symptoms may include isolation or withdrawal, various degrees of depression and anxiety, aggression, truancy and poor performance. In more severe cases, suicidal ideas or attempts may become prevalent.

Through individual counseling, survivors are able to process their sexual assault experience and begin to reclaim the power and control they felt was taken away from them. They learn about the dynamics, effects and impact of sexual assault/abuse, the prevalence of sexual assault, and how perpetrators select their victims. Therapy can also help survivors understand and accept that they are not to blame for their assault. Survivors will learn safety skills and techniques to help reduce their risk of re-victimization.

Survivors interested in therapy may schedule an initial assessment session in which a staff member provides information about The Turning Point's policies and procedures and collects client information. Master's level therapists or master's level interns under supervision provide therapy services. Individualized goals are established with each client. Our purpose is to help each individual discover strengths so that he or she may begin to experience healing in a supportive environment.

At the point when a client has some understanding of their victimization/trauma and is emotionally/psychologically stable and able to lead a more healthy and productive life, it can be helpful for the client to participate in group counseling.

Sexual assault survivors learn through the group process how to trust themselves and others in a social setting. They learn to practice safety skills and to maintain safe boundaries. Another benefit of group counseling is learning that they are not alone, and that others have experienced similar painful feelings and reactions as a result of trauma.

Group facilitators are trained at the master's level or above. Clients interested in receiving group services may schedule an assessment session in which a staff member provides information on The Turning Point's policies and procedures and collects client information. Group services are usually provided in conjunction with individual therapy.

Significant people in a survivor’s life are sometimes equally, if not more, traumatized by the suvivor's victimization. They may experience a range of feelings from deep sadness to frustration and rage. They often are not sure what to do in order to support the survivor in the healing process. During a crisis counseling session, they are provided with crucial information to help them become a positive support in the survivor’s life. They are also provided with necessary emotional support through their own healing journey. The following are some pointers for significant others to help them in their supporting roles:

1. Believe the survivor.
2. Listen.
3. Comfort without taking control.
4. Reinforce that this is NOT the survivor’s fault no matter what the survivor did. The abuser is responsible for the abuse.
5. Offer safety.
6. Suggest calling a hotline or local crisis center.
7. Encourage the survivor to preserve evidence of the assault.
8. Get treatment for medical needs.
9. Help the survivor organize her/his thoughts and to make his/her own decisions on how to proceed.
10. Help the survivor re-establish feelings of self-worth.
11. Assist with getting any resources she/he wants: counseling, legal advice, etc.
12. Be available – initiate contact and conversations.
13. Learn as much as you can about the long-range issues facing survivors of sexual assault.
14. Get help for yourself as well.