Paula

Paula had been sexually abused by her brother when she was 7 and her was 16.  Her parents were going through a nasty divorce and had little energy to notice what she was going through.  She tried to support her mother and was angry with her father during her teenage years.  She became confused about her identity and felt that she was only worth her looks and her sexual favors to boys.  When her ecclesiastical leader referred her to The Green House Center for therapy, Paula hated her job, her family and all men.  Through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy groups where Paula learned how to handle her emotions better, and individual trauma treatment for her sexual abuse, Paula began to heal.  She cried less and sought opportunities to work in a better environment.  Eventually she signed up for school and made new friends.  She told her mother about the abuse and after many years of bitterness their relationship began to heal.  Paula realized that she was worth much more than her body.  After a year and a half in therapy, Paula was dating a couple of good men and keeping the boundaries that made her feel good about herself as a person.  She laughs much more than she cries and is almost ready to say good bye to her therapist that has become a trusted past of her life.