Our racial or ethnic identity drastically affects our experience of the world and how we interact with others. We can feel included, isolated, empowered, and oppressed in different situations. We benefit deeply from relationships with others who have similar and differing experiences from us. Use the questions below as a self-reflective guide. feel like you are treated differently because of your race or ethnicity? experience barriers between you and others due to differing cultures feel isolated or separate from the “norm”? want to cultivate your sense of identity, incorporating your race or ethnicity in the midst of other cultures? have trouble developing a support system that you feel truly “understand”?

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?