Kathy Picard | Sexual Abuse Survivor Coach and Advocate
Consult with Kathy Picard
I’m glad you’re thinking about a consultation with me. I know how hard it is to talk about sexual abuse. There are times when you’re desperate to talk, but it’s so hard to know who to talk to about what happened. And even when you finally figure out who you want to tell, you’re not sure what to say, how to say it, or when to say it.
The first person I told my whole story to was a co-worker. Maybe it was easy to tell her because she didn’t know anything about me beyond what I’d told her about myself. Or maybe it was because we had big clunky old-fashioned computer monitors between us so I didn’t have to see her face when I started talking about what was done to me. She didn’t know anything about my family either, so there wasn’t a chance that she might think I was the liar like the rest of my family always said I was. A lot of things changed after I told her my story. It was still slow going at first, but it takes each of us as long as it takes. No one can force someone into being ready to disclose sexual abuse. When we’re ready, we’re ready.
If you’re trying to find your voice, a conversation with me might be the perfect place to start. Before we can have that conversation though, I just need to make sure you understand something. Yes, I have spoken with hundreds of people who have been sexually abused, but I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, mental health counselor, or certified life coach. I don’t pretend to be either.
Who I am, is a safe person to have a conversation with. I can and will listen to you in a way that only a fellow survivor can appreciate. You can ask me questions and I will do my best to help you with the answers. I can be here for you in the way I wished someone had been there for me.
If you’re reading this because there’s someone you care about who has been sexually abused and you’re trying to figure out how you can help them, we can have a conversation too. In a way, when you start talking about it it’s almost like you’re disclosing the abuse too, so it’s just as important for you to have someone to talk to. I’ve had many conversations with parents, spouses, family members, and friends who struggle with trying to know how they can help.
I do charge a consultation fee. Why? For two reasons. The first is because paying the fee is a choice, and when you make the choice to pay the fee, you’re choosing to invest in your future, and that’s a really good start to reclaiming your life. The second is because I want to be there for as many people as I can, and the fee makes that possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
**I am not mandated to report the sexual abuse of minors, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try as hard as I can to make sure that someone under the age of 18 is safe… because I am.
Kathy Picard | Sexual Abuse Survivor, Coach, and Advocate
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 411, Ludlow, MA 01056