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S5E3: Working With Sexual Abuse: Disclosure, Memory and Intimacy | Dr Kelly Savery
Description
CONTENT NOTE
This episode discusses sexual abuse, including childhood sexual abuse, trauma memory, shame and the effects of abuse on sex and relationships. Please listen in a way that prioritises care of yourself
EPISODE SUMMARY
How do you name possible sexual abuse without turning therapy into another experience in which something is being done to the client?
In this episode, Dr Natalie Stott speaks with counselling psychologist and EMDR trained Dr Kelly Savery about working with sexual abuse and sexual trauma. They explore the language of victimhood and survival, the care required around first disclosures and what to do when a client has not named what happened. Kelly offers ways to raise concerns tentatively while leaving control with the client.
The conversation also explores fragmented trauma memory. Do clients need a clear, chronological account before therapy can help? Kelly explains why therapists can work with present-day shame, disgust and bodily responses without trying to excavate a complete narrative.
The episode closes with the impact of this work on clinicians. Kelly discusses supervision, peer connection, caseload management and her approach to staying present without visualising traumatic material.
Timestamps
- 6:24 — Language: victim vs. survivor
- 15:49 — Fragmented memories & historical disclosures
- 43:48 — Hope & recovery
GUEST
Dr Kelly Savery is a counselling psychologist, EMDR-accredited practitioner and CAT therapist. She is the founder of Taproot Psychology and specialises in supporting adults affected by sexual abuse and sexual trauma.
Dr Kelly website: https://www.drkelly.uk/
Taproot Psychology: https://www.taprootpsychology.com/
RESOURCES
- Trauma Memory animation, using a filing-cabinet metaphor to explain dissociative memory: https://youtu.be/P0DeP2ZfYy0?si=h1j-B9CUezQWTUVM
- Self-paced course for people experiencing sexual-intimacy difficulties after sexual abuse: https://www.drkelly.uk/
- Dr Kelly Savery’s trauma retreats and intensive trauma therapy: [CURRENT PROGRAMME LINK REQUIRED]
- Training and supervision for therapists working with sexual abuse, intimacy and sexual pleasure: [TRAINING LINK REQUIRED]
Mentioned in this episode:
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