Sexual Abuse and Trauma Counseling
in Phoenix, AZ
You Deserve Healing. You Are Not Alone.
Sexual abuse and trauma can leave deep and lasting scars on the body, mind, and spirit. Survivors often carry burdens of shame, fear, confusion, or isolation, even years after the trauma occurred. At Biltmore Psychology and Counseling, we provide a safe and confidential space for healing, where your voice is heard, your story matters, and your recovery is possible.
Whether you’re ready to talk or are simply considering therapy, we want you to know that you are not alone and that you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
The Lasting Impacts of Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma affects far more than a moment in time. Its effects often ripple through every area of life, shaping how survivors feel, think, connect, and function. These impacts may be invisible to others but deeply felt by those living with the aftershocks of trauma.
Emotional and Psychological Effects:
Survivors may struggle with depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, or emotional numbness can interfere with day-to-day life. Shame and self-blame are common, creating barriers to self-acceptance and peace.
Loss of Safety and Trust:
Sexual trauma can severely disrupt a person’s sense of safety. Survivors may feel hypervigilant, constantly on guard, or unable to trust even those closest to them. Every day situations can feel dangerous or triggering.
Relationship and Intimacy Challenges:
Intimacy and connection may feel unsafe or triggering. Survivors might avoid closeness or struggle with vulnerability in romantic, familial, or platonic relationships. Others may unconsciously reenact harmful dynamics in relationships.
Disconnection from Self:
Many survivors experience a loss of identity, self-esteem, or body connection. They may feel “broken,” “damaged,” or disconnected from who they once were. This can lead to struggles with confidence, motivation, and a sense of purpose in life.
Physical Health and Well-Being:
The body often carries trauma, even when the mind tries to suppress it. Survivors may suffer from chronic pain, fatigue, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, or other stress-related health concerns.
What to Expect in Counseling
Your story is unique, and so is your healing process. In your work, you can expect:
A safe, nonjudgmental space for you to speak and be heard
Support in managing trauma triggers, flashbacks, or panic responses
Tools for regulating emotion, reclaiming safety, and building self-worth
Collaborative goal-setting and treatment focused on your healing journey
Trauma-informed education to help you understand your symptoms
Whether your trauma occurred in childhood or adulthood, therapy offers a structured and compassionate space to help you move forward.
You Are Not Defined by What Happened to You
Sexual trauma can feel like it steals your sense of self. But healing is possible. With support, you can reconnect with your inner strength, restore trust in yourself and others, and reclaim the life you deserve.
At Biltmore Psychology and Counseling, we are here to walk with you through this process with dignity, care, and unwavering support.
Meet Laura Reed, LPC
Your Partner in Healing
Laura Reed is a Licensed Professional Counselor with specialized expertise in working with survivors of sexual trauma. Known for her warmth, presence, and trauma-informed care, Laura creates a therapeutic environment that prioritizes safety, respect, and empowerment.
Her approach is personalized and deeply supportive, integrating evidence-based therapies including:
Emotion Focused Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Practices
Somatic Awareness and Body-Based Healing Tools
Laura walks beside each client on their path to healing—never rushing, always honoring the individual pace and needs of the person in front of her.
Meet Laura Reed, LPC
Your Partner in Healing
Laura Reed is a Licensed Professional Counselor with specialized expertise in working with survivors of sexual trauma. Known for her warmth, presence, and trauma-informed care, Laura creates a therapeutic environment that prioritizes safety, respect, and empowerment.
Her approach is personalized and deeply supportive, integrating evidence-based therapies including:
Emotion Focused Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Practices
Somatic Awareness and Body-Based Healing Tools
Laura walks beside each client on their path to healing—never rushing, always honoring the individual pace and needs of the person in front of her.
Begin your journey with confidence
In a free, no-obligation 10-min consultation we can help you determine whether our services would be the right fit for you.
Our licensed clinicians apply professional expertise and understanding to provide the best holistic counseling services in Phoenix, AZ.
Contact us to schedule a free phone consultation.
Start your journey with confidence
In a free, no-obligation 10-min consultation we can help you determine whether our services would be the right fit for you.
Our licensed clinicians apply professional expertise and understanding to provide the best holistic counseling services in Phoenix, AZ.
Contact us to schedule a free phone consultation.
Sexual Abuse & Trauma Counseling FAQ
Yes, sexual trauma counseling is designed to be a safe, supportive, and confidential space. Our licensed mental health professionals follow strict ethical and legal guidelines to protect your privacy. Trauma-informed therapists prioritize emotional safety by moving at your pace, respecting boundaries, and ensuring you have control over what is discussed. You are never pressured to share more than you feel ready for, and your therapist works collaboratively with you to create a sense of trust, stability, and choice throughout the healing process.
No, you do not have to talk about what happened in detail unless and until you feel ready. Sexual trauma counseling does not require recounting every aspect of the experience to be effective. Many therapeutic approaches focus on how the trauma is affecting you in the present: emotionally, physically, and relationally, rather than on explicit details of the event itself. Your therapist will respect your boundaries and work with you to determine what feels safest and most helpful, ensuring that you remain in control of the pace and depth of the work.
Healing from sexual trauma looks different for everyone and does not follow a fixed timeline. Factors such as the nature of the trauma, whether it was ongoing or a single event, available support systems, and past experiences can all influence the healing process. Healing is not linear, and progress often happens gradually. Therapy supports you in building resilience, reclaiming a sense of safety, and moving forward at a pace that honors your unique experience.
Sexual abuse and trauma counseling often uses evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches tailored to each individual’s needs. Common modalities include trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, somatic and body-based therapies, and mindfulness-based approaches. Many therapists also integrate stabilization and grounding skills to support nervous system regulation before processing traumatic memories. Therapy may be adapted over time, combining different approaches to support healing in a way that feels manageable and empowering.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Melissa Estavillo
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology,
Arizona School of Professional Psychology
M.A. Clinical Psychology,
Arizona School of Professional Psychology
B.S. Psychology,
Grand Canyon University
Dr. Linda DeBiase
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Lake Forest College
B.A. Psychology
California School of Professional Psychology,
Clinical Psychology
Dr. Nikki Kemper
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology,
Midwestern University
Masters in Clinical Psychology,
Midwestern University
Nicole Elliott, LPC, PMH-C
M.C. Counseling,
Arizona State University
B.A. English (Literature),
Arizona State University
Elizabeth Felix, LPC
M.A. Professional Counseling, Ottawa University
M.A. Human Resources and Substance Abuse,
Ottawa University
B.A. Psychology,
Ottawa University
Heather Wheeler, LCSW
Masters in Social Work,
Arizona State University
B.A. Psychology,
Arizona State University
Laura Reed, LPC
M.S. Professional Counseling,
Grand Canyon University
B.S. Psychology,
Grand Canyon University
Rebecca Fregoso, LPC
M.S. Counseling,
University of Phoenix
B.A. Psychology,
California State University
Kirsten Eby, LPC, ATR-BC
M.S. Art Therapy Counseling
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
M.A. Teaching, Elementary
American University
B.A. Psychology & Sociology
Tulane University
Dr. Melissa Estavillo
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, Arizona School of Professional Psychology M.A. Clinical Psychology, Arizona School of Professional Psychology B.S. Psychology, Grand Canyon University
Dr Linda DeBiase
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Lake Forest College, B.A. Psychology California School of Professional Psychology, Clinical Psychology
Dr Nikki Kemper
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, Midwestern University Masters in Clinical Psychology, Midwestern University
Nicole Elliott, LPC
M.C. Counseling, Arizona State University B.A. English (Literature), Arizona State University
Elizabeth Felix, LPC
M.A. Professional Counseling, Ottawa University M.A. Human Resources and Substance Abuse, Ottawa University B.A. Psychology, Ottawa University<
Heather Wheeler, LCSW
Masters in Social Work, Arizona State University B.A. Psychology, Arizona State University
Laura Reed, LPC
M.S. Professional Counseling, Grand Canyon University B.S. Psychology, Grand Canyon University
Rebecca Fregoso, LPC
M.S. Counseling, University of Phoenix, B.A. Psychology, California State University
Kirsten Eby, LPC, ATR-BC
M.S. Art Therapy Counseling Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville M.A. Teaching, Elementary American University B.A. Psychology & Sociology Tulane University
Our Location in Phoenix, AZ
Address:
6245 N 24th Parkway, Suite #106 Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Phone: (480) 999-7070
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
