16 Steps to Aid in Healing from the Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse

1. We affirm that we can heal from the woundedness of traumas we experienced and acknowledge that our symptoms are all normal reactions to abnormal events.

2. We come to believe that our Higher Power is the ever present source of the healing wisdom within us and in the world, and is our loving, safe Parent.

3. We trust is it now safe to discover our authentic inner child or children and learn how to lovingly reparent ourselves. We acknowlege that we are loveable and of great value.

4. We seek out role models of healthy parenting and other safe people for guidance, support and counseling.

5.We trust our instincts and support systems to guide us to places and people that are good for us.

6. We recognize our process of healing is important and valuable, worth our time and care.

7.We come to see that our addictions, compulsions, and self-harming behaviors are coping mechanisms which helped us survive in abusive environments. We recognize that when healthier ways of processing feelings are found, we will become free of them.

8. We become willing to let go of shame, guilt, and any behavior that keeps us from loving and protecting ourselves. We make a list of those who have wronged us, and of those we have wronged, and share it with another human being. When we make a mistake we admit it and acknowlege our limitations as being part of being human.

9. We affirm and enjoy our intelligence, strengths, and creativity, choosing to share these quailities with safe and suportive others.

10. We re-awaken to the wonder of life and our capacity to feel, to give and recieve love, and experience spontaniety.

11. We trust our reality and daily affirm that we see what we see, we know what we know, and we feel what we feel.

12. We learn how to admit when we've wronged someone, and how to make amends when appropraite.

13.We affirm our right to our personal space and learn to treat ourselves with care and respect.

14. We take steps to heal our physical bodies, organize our lives, reduce stress, and have fun.

15. We accept the ups and downs of life as natural events that can be used as lessons for our growth.

16. We grow in awareness that we are sacred beings, becoming aware that all our lives have meaning and purpose.