Other Sources of Support

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides support for survivors of sexual violence including sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence and stalking. Experiencing a sexual assault, being in an abusive relationship and/or experiencing stalking are major stressors and can significantly impact your life and how you may begin to think about yourself and respond to different relationships and situations. Seeking counseling can help you to sort out your feelings about the event(s), assist you in making decisions about what you would like to do next and help you begin the healing process.

Individual Support: Making the decision to come to counseling is the first step in the healing process for many survivors. In collaboration with a counselor, a survivor can explore their feelings about their experience and move forward in a safe and supportive environment. Contact Alysha B. Warren, LPC, Therapist/Sexual Violence Resource Coordinator at 860.685.3217, or any of the therapists in CAPS to schedule an appointment – 860.685.2910.

Pathways to Healing: A Retreat for Survivors of Sexual Violence: Created for survivors of sexual violence, this retreat will teach participants how to incorporate mindfulness skills and practices into their lives, improve sleep, augment self-care skills and culminate in a relaxing gentle yoga/movement session. “Like” the WEconSent page on Facebook for more details about the retreat and other events throughout the semester.

Group Support: Joining a group can be an empowering and transformative experience for survivors of sexual assault. It provides an opportunity to connect with other survivors who have had a similar experience, helps survivors learn new ways to cope with the aftermath of a sexual assault and enables survivors to see people in various stages of the healing process. CAPS offers a variety of groups each year. The groups below are a sample of groups that are offered. Contact Alysha B. Warren, LPC at awarren@wesleyan.edu.

Sexual Assault Survivors Support Group: This group is a space where female identified survivors can reconnect with their power in community with other survivors. The group follows an open support group format and participants determine group topics each week. The group meets for 1.25 hours each week. The group is offered in the fall semester.

Experiences of Healing is a structured psycho-educational support group that meets for 9 weeks for an in-depth exploration of a variety of topics including trust and safety, boundaries, disclosures, coping mechanisms and sexuality through discussion, art and other activities.

Befriending the Body: Mindful Healing through Yoga: Many survivors find yoga to be a helpful complement to their healing. This 10 week support group incorporates yoga and discussions of self-care, mindfulness, body awareness, and other topics. The group meets once a week for 1.5 hours. Yoga experience is not required.

Male Identified Survivors Support Group: This group is open to male identified survivors of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault and rape. Meetings follow an open support group format and participants determine topics each week. The group meets for 1.25 hours for 8 weeks.

Healing Forward: Self-Care for Survivors: A structured 9 week psycho-educational support group that focuses on helping students develop sustainable self-care practices. Each week, the group focuses on a different aspect of building sustainable self-care practices. Topics include self-compassion, sleep hygiene, mindfulness and creativity and play. Sessions include art, movement and other activities. The group meets once a week for 1.5 hours.

For more information about joining a group, contact Alysha B. Warren, LPC, Therapist/Sexual Violence Resource Coordinator.