Therapy for Survivors
Over half of women and almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence during their lifetimes. Over one in three women and one in four men in the US have experienced sexual assult, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
These numbers are staggering and sobering.
And yet, survivors are often not believed and victim blamed. Systemic policies fail to adequately support survivors through resourcing and prevention. Survivors often have little recourse to seek justice. Families are often ill-equipped to support family members in survivorship, or address issues of domestic violence.
And even in the mental health community, many therapists are not properly trained to work with trauma survivors.
Survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence typically require a trauma-informed and systemic approach to treatment. Often, this means going slow, focusing on stabilization and resourcing at the beginning of treatment, and engaging in modalities that address nervous system dysregulation and somatic symptoms in a non-judgemental, affirming manner. It also often requires us to extend beyond the primary trauma to look at attachment injury and adverse childhood experiences that may be compounding trauma symptoms. Finally, trauma-informed therapy tailored to survivors benefits from finding safe community and support, for example, in groups like Healing with Harmony.
Tailored Therapy for Survivors
SAFETY PLANNING
I specialize in providing tailored therapy services for survivors of sexual assault (SA) and domestic violence (DV), with a primary focus on safety planning. My approach involves comprehensive assistance, ranging from identifying and securing placements in local shelters to facilitating connections with esteemed organizations such as Peace Over Violence for specialized case management services and additional resources. I am committed to supporting survivors as they navigate the legal and bureaucratic processes they may encounter, and work in a strength-based and empowerment-centered manner to highlight my clients’ resilience and resourcing.
UNPACKING HARMFUL NARRATIVES
Survivors are not immune to harmful sterotypes and ingrained biases around sexuality and violence that color our society. I often work with clients to unpack harmful myths surrounding human sexuality, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Together, we address societal misconceptions, fostering open and non-judgmental dialogue to challenge ingrained beliefs. I empower clients to redefine and reclaim their narratives, with the hope of helping them foster a deeper understanding of healthy sexuality and relationships.
STRENGTHENING FAMILY & COMMUNITY
Survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence often benefit from a holistic and systemic therapeutic approach. In my practice, I go beyond individual sessions, recognizing the importance of involving family, friends, and loved ones in select sessions to foster a supportive network for the survivor. By incorporating a systemic perspective, I aim to educate and guide the client’s close relationships on how to best support their loved one through the journey of survivorship. Our sessions often take a narrative approach, delving into personal stories and experiences to unpack harmful biases and dispel shame surrounding sensitive topics such as sex, violence, and assault. Through these discussions, we not only work towards healing the survivor but also strive to enhance the overall understanding and empathy within the client’s broader support system.
NERVOUS SYSTEM LENS
I place a strong emphasis on the foundational aspects of healing, addressing nervous system regulation and stabilization for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Understanding the profound impact of trauma on the autonomic nervous system, I integrate principles from Polyvagal Theory and “bottom-up” somatic-based modalities to guide clients through a process of self-regulation. This may include a range of experiential exercises including: grounding techniques, body scans, gentle movement, tracking sensations, music therapy techniques, havening, breath work, havening, and progressive muscle relaxation. Through tailored interventions and psychoeducation grounded in Polyvagal Theory and somatic modalities, clients gain a deeper understanding of their bodily responses, empowering them to navigate triggers and cultivate a more regulated and resilient nervous system.
ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED EMDR
I integrate attachment-focused EMDR as a powerful and specialized approach for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Recognizing the profound impact of trauma on attachment patterns, I employ EMDR techniques to address and reprocess distressing memories in the context of a secure therapeutic relationship. We normally front-load sessions with attachment resourcing and nervous system regulation prior to delving into the trauma itself. This attachment-focused approach enhances their sense of safety, internal resources, and connections before delving into activating work. Through carefully guided bilateral stimulation, we facilitate the adaptive processing of traumatic memories, fostering a more secure attachment style and promoting resilience in the face of past experiences. Finally, EMDR is combined in an integrative manner that respects the needs of each client. We tend to shy away from more standardized approaches, in favor of interweaving EMDR with other modalities, like Emotionally-Focused Individual Therapy, Internal Family Systems informed “parts work,” and psychoanalytic talk therapy.
The Why Behind This Work
I’m not just a therapist; I’m also the daughter and close friend of many survivors. Growing up, I witnessed the profound intergenerational impacts of sexual assault (SA) and domestic violence (DV) on families. It’s always struck me that, despite the staggering statistics revealing the prevalence of SA and DV, we have limited resources, support systems, collective understanding, and preventative measures. Even more disheartening is how often victims of these crimes aren’t believed.
That’s why I began my clinical training at Peace Over Violence, a non-profit organization providing crucial support and services to survivors. I wanted to build my career on a solid foundation of trauma and crisis understanding, contributing my part to a community I deeply care about. Survivors deserve compassion, non-judgement, support, systemic change, and access to trauma-informed therapy.
I stand by survivors. I believe survivors.
Danielle Palomares is a Registered AMFT 137663 supervised by Alejandro Sandoval, LMFT 89577
as an Associate of Sandoval Therapy
LINKS
LOCATION
Sandoval Therapy
491 South Marengo Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
