Sexual Abuse Counselling & therapy brisbane

Sexual Abuse Counselling Services – Gold Coast

Sexual Abuse Counselling Services

Discussing experiences of sexual abuse or assault can be deeply challenging and emotional. At Happy Peeps, we provide sexual abuse counselling in the Gold Coast area with utmost care and compassion. We understand that you may have never shared your story before, and our professional therapists are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for you.

How We Support Survivors

Our experienced counsellors recognise the intense emotions survivors may face, including fear, isolation, trauma, and overwhelming pain. During and after your sessions, we equip you with strategies to manage your emotions and reduce the impact of past experiences on your daily life. Our goal is to help you:

Address negative thought patterns and behaviours.
Shift from being a victim to regaining control over your life.
Foster healthy relationships and rebuild confidence.

Understanding Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse encompasses a wide range of non-consensual or harmful actions, including:

Types of Sexual Abuse

Rape or forced sexual activity.
Touching without consent.
Use of threats or physical force to gain compliance.
Coercing someone into sexual acts or degrading behaviours.
Exposure to unwanted pornography or explicit material.
Sharing intimate photos, videos, or content without permission.
Unwanted sexual comments, jokes, or gestures.
Withholding sex as punishment or using it to manipulate.
Using social media for harassing or unsolicited sexual interactions.

Consent is a cornerstone of healthy sexual relationships. Key points to remember:

Always ensure mutual agreement before engaging in sexual activity.
Respect a partner’s right to say “no”—even in long-term relationships or marriage.
A person under the influence of drugs or alcohol cannot give valid consent.

Emotional and Psychological Effects of Abuse

If you’ve experienced sexual abuse, you might be dealing with:

Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories.
Feelings of shame, guilt, or anger.
Anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Challenges with intimacy, sexuality, or relationships.
Parenting difficulties or struggles with children.
Self-harming behaviours or thoughts of suicide.

Recognising Abuse in Children or Adolescents

Children and teenagers often do not verbalise abuse due to fear or shame. However, behavioural changes can indicate they may be experiencing abuse.

Warning Signs in Children and Teens:

Sudden weight changes or disordered eating habits.
Persistent sadness, lack of energy, or trouble sleeping.
Avoidance of social interactions or withdrawal from activities.
Self-harm or expressions of suicidal thoughts.
Substance use or frequent use of alcohol or drugs.
Refusing to see specific people or attend certain places.
Signs of physical harm, such as bruising or injuries.
Diagnosis of STIs or unexplained pregnancies.

Spotting Red Flags in Relationships

A partner may be abusive or controlling if they:

Pressure someone into unwanted sexual activities.
Refuse to use contraception or protection during intimacy.
Inflict physical harm or manipulate with threats.
Isolate the person from friends or family.
Use alcohol or drugs to impair the ability to give consent.
Display controlling or coercive behaviours.

How We Can Help

At Happy Peeps Gold Coast, we are here to listen, support, and guide you toward healing. Our counselling services provide:

A Safe and Judgement-Free Space: Share your experiences at your own pace.
Emotional Resilience Tools: Learn strategies to manage triggers and overwhelming emotions.
Pathways to Healing: Rebuild your self-esteem and create a positive, healthy future.

If you or someone you love is experiencing the effects of sexual abuse, know that help is available. Contact our Gold Coast team today to start your journey towards recovery and empowerment.

Happy Peeps Counselling and Therapy are here to support you with effective psychotherapy treatments and relaxation techniques to help you manage your wellbeing. Happy Mind Happy Peeps. Take the time to find happiness. Call us for an appointment. 1300 915 271

Areas We Service

Adult & Child Autism Counsellor & Therapist Brisbane Gold Coast Moreton Bay Sunshine Coast

Bowen Hills – Brisbane – East Brisbane – Fortitude Valley – Herston – Highgate Hill – Kangaroo Point – Kelvin Grove – New Farm – Newstead – Paddington – Petrie Terrace – Red Hill – South Brisbane – Spring Hill – Teneriffe – West End – Woolloongabba

Northern suburbs
Albion – Alderley – Ascot – Aspley – Bald Hills – Banyo – Boondall – Bracken Ridge – Bridgeman Downs – Brighton – Brisbane Airport – Carseldine – Chermside – Chermside West – Clayfield – Deagon – Eagle Farm – Everton Park – Ferny Grove – Fitzgibbon – Gaythorne – Geebung – Gordon Park – Grange – Hamilton – Hendra – Kalinga – Kedron – Keperra – Lutwyche – McDowall – Mitchelton – Myrtletown – Newmarket – Northgate – Nudgee – Nudgee Beach – Nundah – Pinkenba – Sandgate – Shorncliffe – Stafford – Stafford Heights – Taigum – Virginia – Wavell Heights – Wilston – Windsor – Wooloowin – Zillmere

Southern suburbs
Acacia Ridge – Algester – Annerley – Archerfield – Burbank – Calamvale – Coopers Plains – Darra – Doolandella – Drewvale – Durack – Dutton Park – Eight Mile Plains – Ellen Grove – Fairfield – Forest Lake – Greenslopes – Heathwood – Holland Park – Holland Park West – Inala – Karawatha – Kuraby – Larapinta – MacGregor – Mackenzie – Mansfield – Moorooka – Mount Gravatt – Mount Gravatt East – Nathan – Pallara – Parkinson – Richlands – Robertson – Rochedale – Rocklea – Runcorn – Salisbury – Seventeen Mile Rocks – Sinnamon Park – Stones Corner – Stretton – Sumner – Sunnybank – Sunnybank Hills – Tarragindi – Tennyson – Upper Mount Gravatt – Wacol – Willawong – Wishart – Yeerongpilly – Yeronga

Eastern suburbs
Balmoral – Belmont – Bulimba – Camp Hill – Cannon Hill – Carina – Carina Heights -Carindale – Chandler – Coorparoo – Gumdale – Hawthorne – Hemmant – Lota – Lytton – Manly – Manly West – Moreton Island – Morningside – Murarrie – Norman Park – Port of Brisbane – Ransome – Seven Hills – Tingalpa – Wakerley – Wynnum – Wynnum West

Western suburbs
Anstead – Ashgrove – Auchenflower – Bardon – Bellbowrie – Brookfield – Chapel Hill – Chelmer – Chuwar – Corinda – Enoggera – Enoggera Reservoir – Fig Tree Pocket – Graceville – Indooroopilly – Jamboree Heights – Jindalee – Karana Downs – Kenmore – Kenmore Hills – Kholo – Lake Manchester – Middle Park – Milton – Moggill – Mount Coot-tha – Mount Crosby – Mount Ommaney – Oxley – Pinjarra Hills – Pullenvale – Riverhills – Seventeen Mile Rocks – Sherwood – Sinnamon Park – St Lucia – Taringa – The Gap – Toowong – Upper Brookfield – Upper Kedron – Westlake

City of Ipswich
Augustine Heights – Barellan Point – Basin Pocket – Bellbird Park – Blacksoil – Blackstone – Booval – Brassall – Brookwater – Bundamba – Camira – Carole Park – Churchill – Chuwar – Coalfalls – Collingwood Park – Dinmore – East Ipswich – Eastern Heights – Ebbw Vale – Flinders View – Gailes – Goodna – Ipswich – Karalee – Karrabin – Leichhardt – Moores Pocket – Muirlea – New Chum – Newtown – North Booval – North Ipswich – North Tivoli – One Mile – Raceview – Redbank – Redbank Plains – Riverview – Sadliers Crossing – Silkstone – Springfield – Springfield Central – Springfield Lakes – Tivoli – West Ipswich – Woodend – Wulkuraka – Yamanto – Amberley – Ashwell – Calvert – Deebing Heights – Ebenezer – Goolman – Grandchester – Haigslea – Ironbark – Jeebropilly – Lanefield – Marburg – Mount Forbes – Mount Marrow – Mutdapilly – Pine Mountain – Purga – Ripley – Rosewood – South Ripley – Spring Mountain – Swanbank – Tallegalla – Thagoona – The Bluff – Walloon – White Rock – Willowbank – Woolshed

Logan City
Bahrs Scrub – Bannockburn – Beenleigh – Belivah – Berrinba – Bethania – Boronia Heights – Browns Plains – Buccan – Carbrook – Cedar Creek – Cedar Grove – Cedar Vale – Chambers Flat – Cornubia – Crestmead – Daisy Hill – Eagleby – Edens Landing – Forestdale – Greenbank – Heritage Park – Hillcrest – Holmview – Jimboomba – Kagaru – Kingston – Logan Central – Logan Reserve – Logan Village – Loganholme – Loganlea – Lyons – Marsden – Meadowbrook – Mount Warren Park – Mundoolun – Munruben – New Beith – North Maclean – Park Ridge South – Park Ridge – Priestdale – Regents Park – Rochedale South – Shailer Park – Slacks Creek – South Maclean – Springwood – Stockleigh – Tamborine – Tanah Merah – Underwood – Undullah – Veresdale Scrub – Veresdale – Waterford West – Waterford – Windaroo – Wolffdene – Woodhill – Woodridge – Yarrabilba

Redland City
Alexandra Hills – Amity Point – Birkdale – Capalaba – Cleveland – Coochiemudlo Island – Dunwich – Karragarra Island – Lamb Island – Macleay Island – Mount Cotton – North Stradbroke Island – Ormiston – Point Lookout – Redland Bay – Russell Island – Sheldon – Thorneside – Thornlands – Victoria Point – Wellington Point

Moreton Bay Region
Albany Creek – Arana Hills – Banksia Beach – Beachmere – Bellara – Bongaree – Bray Park – Brendale – Bunya – Burpengary – Caboolture – Caboolture South – Cashmere – Clontarf – Dakabin – Deception Bay – Eatons Hill – Elimbah – Everton Hills – Ferny Hills – Godwin Beach – Griffin – Joyner – Kallangur – Kippa-Ring – Kurwongbah – Lawnton – Mango Hill – Margate – Moodlu – Morayfield – Murrumba Downs – Narangba – Newport – Ningi – North Lakes – Petrie – Redcliffe – Rothwell – Sandstone Point – Scarborough – Strathpine – Upper Caboolture – Warner – Whiteside – Woody Point – Woorim – Armstrong Creek – Bellmere – Bellthorpe – Booroobin – Bracalba – Camp Mountain – Campbells Pocket – Cedar Creek – Cedarton – Clear Mountain – Closeburn – Commissioners Flat – D’Aguilar – Dayboro – Delaneys Creek – Donnybrook – Draper – Highvale – Jollys Lookout – King Scrub – Kobble Creek – Laceys Creek – Meldale – Moorina – Mount Delaney – Mount Glorious – Mount Mee – Mount Nebo – Mount Pleasant – Mount Samson – Neurum – Ocean View – Rocksberg – Rush Creek – Samford Valley – Samford Village – Samsonvale – Stanmore – Stony Creek – Toorbul – Wamuran Basin – Wamuran – Welsby – White Patch – Wights Mountain – Woodford – Yugar

Sunshine Coast

Aroona – Bald – Knob – Balmoral – Ridge – Battery Hill – Beerburrum – Beerwah – Bells Creek – Birtinya – Bokarina – Booroobin – Bribie Island – North Buddina – Caloundra – Caloundra West – Cambroon – Conondale – Coochin Creek – Crohamhurst – Curramore – Currimundi – Diamond Valley – Dicky Beach – Elaman Creek – Glass House Mountains – Glenview – Golden Beach – Harper Creek – Kings Beach – Landsborough – Little Mountain – Maleny – Meridan Plains – Minyama – Moffat Beach – Mooloolah Valley – Mount Mellum – North Maleny – Palmview – Parrearra – Peachester – Pelican Waters – Reesville – Shelly Beach – Warana – Witta – Wootha – Wurtulla – Maroochy area – Alexandra Headland – Belli Park – Bli Bli – Bridges – Buderim – Burnside – Chevallum – Coes Creek – Coolabine – Cooloolabin – Coolum Beach – Cotton Tree – Diddillibah – Doonan – Dulong – Eerwah Vale – Eudlo – Eumundi – Flaxton – Forest Glen – Gheerulla – Highworth – Hunchy – Ilkley – Image Flat Kenilworth – Kiamba – Kidaman Creek – Kiels Mountain – Kulangoor – Kuluin – Kunda Park – Kureelpa – Landers Shoot – Mapleton – Marcoola – Maroochy River – Maroochydore – Mons – Montville – Mooloolaba – Mount Coolum – Mountain Creek – Mudjimba – Nambour – Ninderry – North Arm – Obi Obi – Pacific Paradise – Palmwoods – Parklands – Peregian Beach – Peregian Springs – Perwillowen Point – Arkwright – Rosemount – Sippy Downs – Tanawha – Twin Waters – Valdora – Verrierdale – West Woombye – Weyba Downs – Woombye – Yandina Creek – Yandina – Yaroomba

Gold Coast

Advancetown – Alberton – Andrews – Arundel – Ashmore – Austinville –
Beechmont – Benobble – Benowa – Biddaddaba – Biggera Waters – Bilinga – Birnam – Bonogin – Boyland – Broadbeach – Bundall – Burleigh Heads – Burleigh Waters – Canungra – Carrara – Cedar Creek – Chevron Island – Clagiraba – Clear Island Waters – Coolangatta – Coombabah – Currumbin – Currumbin Waters – Currumbin Valley – Eagle Heights – Elanora – Gaven – Gilberton – Gilston – Guanaba – Helensvale – Highland Park – Hollywell – Hope Island – Illanbah – Isle of Capri – Jacobs Well – Kingsholme – Kirra – Labrador – Lamington – Lower Beechmont – Luscombe – Main Beach – Maudsland – Mermaid Beach – Mermaid Waters – Merrimac – Miami – Molendinar – Mount Nathan – Mount Tamborine – Mudgeeraba – Natural Bridge – Nerang – Neranwood – Nobbys Beach – Norwell – Numinbah Valley – Ormeau – Oxenford – Pacific Pines – Palm Beach – Paradise Point – Parkwood – Pimpama – Reedy Creek – Robina – Runaway B ay – Sanctuary Cove – Southport – Springbrook – Stephens – Surfers Paradise – Tabragalba – Tallai – Tallebudgera – The Spit – Tugun – Varsity Lakes – Willowvale – Witheren – Wongawallan – Wonglepong – Worongary – Yatala

Acknowledgement to Country

Happy Peeps would like to acknowledge Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the Yuggera land on which we work and conduct our business. We value the cultures, identities and continuing spiritual connection to country, waters and seas, kin and community and the rich contribution to society. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and are committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, by providing services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.

Inclusive Practice

Happy Peeps is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of mental health services. We welcome all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Call: 1300 915 271

Call: 1300 915 271

Sexual Abuse Counselling Services – Gold Coast