April is child abuse awareness month. What survivors hear:
"You're stronger now because of the abuse."
"I bet your abusers were abused too."
"Now you can help others who were abused."
What they need to hear:
"That was not supposed to happen. Are you ok?"
Becoming a licensed therapist is great but REMAINING a licensed mental health professional is honorable. Working with peopleโs mental health while staying up to date with interventions, laws, and ethics is not easy.