Sexual abuse deeply affects our view of ourselves, allowing shame to be one of our most familiar experiences. It can leave us feeling as if parts of ourselves have been stolen, vandalized, or have died. Use the questions below as a self-reflective guide. Have you… had someone force sexual experiences on you? been manipulated into sexual activity with someone who has power over you including age, size, employment status, or authority? been uncomfortable with someone in sexual activity but felt too scared to say anything? been exposed to images, body parts, language, or touch when you were not expecting it? been lured into unwanted sexual acts with someone?

Sexual addiction can take unforeseen control over our lives. Stemming from the desire to cope, we find ourselves in a cycle of shame and the desire to numb the pain of shame. Use the questions below as a self-reflective guide. Do you… have sexual urges, thoughts, or behaviors that are more frequent than you would choose? feel that your urges, thoughts, or behaviors are out of your control? feel shame after you act out of sexual urges? feel that you are alone in your struggle or that shame would overtake you if someone found out? feel hopeless that you can ever stop?

Sexual dysfunction affects many of our relationships, bringing conflict, frustration, and shame into our lives. We desperately want answers to our questions, while the thought of including someone else in this secret can be very scary. Use the questions below as a self-reflective guide. Do you… experience difficulties in specific stages of sexual activity? have anxiety, guilt, or frustration surrounding sexual activity? feel embarrassed for the difficulties you experience? hope to understand underlying causes of difficulties with sexual activity?

Our sexual identity is an integral part of who we are. Exploring and understanding our sexual identity is an important process. However, it can also be confusing, bringing about many question and feelings. We are often left feeling alone or scared about what others might think as we attempt to know this part of ourselves. Use the questions below as a self-reflective guide. Do you… have difficulty knowing how to identify yourself sexually? have desires sexually that you find surprising, confusing, or embarrassing? have experiences that seem to have shaped your feelings about sexuality? fear revealing your sexual identity to others for their reaction or lack of understanding?