Talk to a Therapist

Share what happened with a trained professional in a safe and confidential space.

Therapy is a tool to find relief for the personal effects of the incident.
Some therapists specialize in sexual violence, coercion, or consent violations.
Therapy can help you process what happened and think through your goals and options.
Therapy provides a non-judgemental and confidential environment to be listened to and supported.
Therapy can help you explore other perspectives about what happened.
Your information is protected by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and will be kept private unless your consent is given.

If you have any confidentiality concerns about what you want to share, ask. Therapists may disclose information without your consent if they believe there to be planned attempts to harm yourself or another individual, or reports of current child or elder abuse. Suicidal ideations will be kept confidential unless the therapist believes you are an immediate threat to yourself.
Your information could be subpoenaed for a relevant criminal case if it is believed that your mental health is in question.
Very few therapists understand sex work or its related issues. It is important to find a therapist who will not stigmatize or shame you for your work, and who will not assume that sex work itself is your primary problem.
Therapists are mandated reporters. While making your initial appointment, you may want to ask if the potential therapist believes they are required to report a patient who acknowledges participating in adult sex work.

Group therapy may be a way for you to talk with others in similar situations or with similar experiences.
While free and low-cost options are available, ask directly about the amount of clinical experience any low-cost or free professional has.
Standard rates for therapists are anywhere from $60-120 per session. However, depending on insurance and payment scales, the cost could be free or much less.
The first person you talk to is sometimes not the right fit. For whatever reason, sometimes it is a better option to speak to a different therapist. The first person you speak to can provide referrals and will not take this personally.
Free Speech Coalition may be able to help direct you to resources.

Pineapple Support Pineapple Support ****offers subsidized and pay what you can services, 24/7 trained listener support for sex workers, counseling services and professional therapy.
SWOP-USA's Guide to Choosing a Sex Worker-Affirmative Therapist (PDF)
APAC Stamp for Professionals offers sex work approved providers including therapists, physicians, accountants, attorneys and more.
Immigrants Rising provides free, confidential therapy services to undocumented folks who reside in California and are comfortable conversing in English. (California)
7cups and Talkspace may provide affordable online therapy options.
Toronto For All: Anti-Black Racism & Mental Health Resources.
Here is a regularly updated list of QTBIPOC centered mental resources. (United States)

Many other trauma informed resources are available to help survivors including books such as The Body Keeps Score, Grandmother's Hands, and Healing Sex.