Community-Based Sexualized Violence Trauma Therapy Program

Heal and move forward after sexualized violence

The basics

Who is the trauma therapy program for?

This program is for survivors of sexualized violence and gender-based violence.

You’ll need to be living in Nova Scotia and aged 15+. If you’re under age 15, please contact the Sea Star Program.

We welcome people of all genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities and abilities. We strive to make our service inclusive, accessible and culturally-responsive.

How can the trauma therapy program help me?

Our program offers up to 20 free therapy sessions for survivors.

You’ll work together with your therapist to create a plan that fits your needs and hopes. Your therapist can also connect you to other helpful services.

Where is it?

You can attend therapy sessions:

  • Online.
  • On the phone.
  • At Avalon’s office in Halifax.
  • At community spaces across Nova Scotia.

How can I access the service?

Call (902) 817-3821 or message us to apply for therapy sessions. After the intial phone session (intake) you’ll be connected to a trauma therapist as soon as possible. Availability and wait times may vary across regions.

Need to ask some questions first? Make a general enquiry.

“It gave me the tools to move on from what happened to me. Because of Avalon, I can live a full and happy life”

– An Avalon client

The details

Our therapy program can help you if you’ve been affected by any form of sexualized violence or gender-based violence. This includes:

  • Sexual assault
  • Sexual abuse
  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexual exploitation
  • Intimate partner violence

Sexualized violence can traumatize not only the survivor, but also the people who love and support them. This is why we offer therapy to both. You can get up to three free sessions if you’re the primary support person or loved one of a survivor.

Our services are confidential. This means we won’t share what you tell us with anyone else – unless the law says we have to. Please see our confidentiality policy for more information.

Our Intake Counsellor will call or message you back. This can sometimes take several days but we’ll respond as soon as we can.

Next, we’ll ask to have a phone appointment with you. This usually lasts 20-30 minutes. You can ask someone you trust to join the call to support you if you’d like.

On the call, we’ll ask some questions about you and your needs. We can also help you access other community resources.

After your phone appointment, we’ll connect you with a trauma therapist as soon as possible. How long this takes depends on your location and the number of people asking for the service.

Your first session is a chance for your therapist to get to know you and understand what you want from therapy. You can choose what to share and explain things in your own time.

Your therapist may explain what you can expect from therapy. Together, you and your therapist will create a therapy plan that fits your hopes and needs.

If you need support beyond 20 sessions, your therapist will help you create a plan. They can also connect you with other services in your community.

Our therapists use various approaches and practices. Their services are always:

  • Trauma-based. We focus on trauma caused by sexualized violence and/or gender-based violence.
  • Relational. We recognize that the quality of your relationships have a big impact on your emotional wellbeing.
  • Person-centred. You can control what we talk about in therapy. Our therapists are here to listen and provide supportive guidance.
  • Community-based. We believe in holistic care. Our team can help connect you with community services to best support your needs.
  • Inclusive. We strive to make our services as accessible and culturally-responsive as possible.
  • Feminist, anti-oppressive and anti-racist. We value equity and recognize the different ways people may experience oppression and discrimination.

Yes – if you can’t come to a session, please let us know and we’ll help you reschedule it.