Inner-Awareness Counseling

Information may not be reliable

Treating the Trauma Vital to Recovery
Sexual abuse is very confusing to a child. Dealing with the many conflicting emotions such as guilt, betrayal, sadness, disappointment, shame, love, to name a few, is overwhelming to a child. Parents, relatives, friends, and officials will al contribute to the child's emotional burden. Knowing the impact of your reaction on the child's well being will help you protect your child from long-term consequences of sexual abuse. The hurt does not go away simply by not talking about it. The hurt becomes manageable when the child is able to talk about the events in a safe and supportive environment.
Possible Signs of Sexual Abuse

Sudden dramatic change in behavior
Child has information about sex practices that are outside the child's natural developmental scope of knowledge
Behavior regression to an earlier phase. Including abrupt changes in eating habits, bowel or bladder control, sleep disturbances or nightmares.
Promiscuity and sexual aggression
Sudden problems in school. Disruptive behavior, unexpected fall in grade performance
Emotional instability: fear, worry, nervousness, or irritability

Currently advocates for abused and neglected children in Lake County Juvenile Court
Former forensic interviewer of sex abuse victims for Lake County Sheriff's Department
6 years as a State of Indiana child abuse investigator
15 years counseling experience in community mental health center
Member of the Lake County Child Protection Team
IUN Faculty and Alumni Board Member