At Safe Alliance, our Sexual Trauma Resource Center (STRC) has a dedicated team of advocates and clinicians that guide and support survivors of domestical violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and their non offending loved ones day in and day out. With their experience and guidance, survivors are able to start their journeys towards hope and healing.
You may be wondering whether Safe Alliance counseling services are designed for someone in your situation. While every person's experience is unique, the examples below highlight some of the survivors, loved ones, and individuals who can access support through our counseling services.
1. Direct Survivors of Violence and Trauma
Our counseling services are available for people who have directly experienced sexual assault or human trafficking. We support clients who have recently experienced a trauma and are navigating immediate next steps, as well as survivors who are farther along in their healing journey and ready to process the long-term impact of those experiences. Our clinicians provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for survivors to explore emotions, build coping skills, strengthen resiliency, and work toward healing at their own pace. We recognize that every survivor's experience is unique, and our approach is tailored to each individual's needs, goals, and circumstances.
2. Secondary Survivors and Non-Offending Loved Ones
Trauma impacts more than the person who directly experienced it. Our counseling services include support for secondary survivors. A secondary survivor is anyone that supports or is related to someone who has experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or human trafficking. The most common secondary survivors that we see in counseling are parents, partners, roommates, siblings, or friends of a survivor. Supporting a loved one through trauma can cause intense feelings like fear, anger, or helplessness, and it's important to recognize that those individuals may need support, too. Our clinicians provide a space for secondary survivors to process their experiences and better understand how to support their loved one while also caring for their own well-being.
3. Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse
There is no requirement for how recently you experienced interpersonal violence to engage in our services. We support adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and human trafficking who are now ready to process their experiences.
We also support clients who have recently experienced a trauma and are currently navigating next steps. Some people find it difficult to engage in counseling while traumatic events or court proceedings are still ongoing. In these situations, our clinical services work directly with our advocacy team to provide coping skills, emotional support, and education on what to expect as it relates to emotional and mental health after an incident. This aspect of advocacy support can be a great fit for clients who are not sure if they are ready to take a deep dive but are seeking additional information and support.
4. People of All Gender Identities
While women are disproportionately impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, people of all gender identities can experience interpersonal violence. Our clinicians are trained to support every client and their unique perspectives, identities, and experiences. We are committed to creating an environment where all survivors feel respected, heard, and supported throughout their healing journey.
5. Teens and Adults Ages 13 and Older
Our clinical services are available for clients aged 13 and older. For children age 12 and under, our advocates work with trusted community partners, like Children's Advocacy Center of Charlotte, to help families connect with appropriate clinical services and resources. Our goal is to ensure that every survivor and family member can access the support that best meets their needs.
Who You'll Meet:
Our staff are Master's level clinicians with specialized training and experience in supporting clients experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. All of our clinicians have professional licensure in the State of North Carolina and engage in continuing education and appropriate supervision. Our clinical services program offers the same experience you would expect from any other outpatient therapy group.
Read more about our STRC clinicians
Deciding whether to start counseling after trauma is deeply personal and there is no single "right" way to take that step. Counseling at Safe Alliance is meant to meet you where you are, not to push you before you're ready. Affordable, professional support exists here in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and it is grounded in respect, choice, and survivor autonomy.
If you're considering reaching out, know this: you deserve support that honors your pace, your voice, and your needs. Whether you reach out now, later, or simply keep the option in mind, trauma counseling at Safe Alliance is available to you. Call us at 704.332.9034 during business hours or reach out to our 24/7 Greater Charlotte Hope Line at 980.771.4673.
