It’s All My Fault: Helping Parents of Sexually Abused Children Work through Conflicting Emotions

Co-presented by clinical counselor Dr. Moore and experienced foster parent Sasha, this webinar addresses the multifaceted aftermath of child sexual abuse (CSA) within family structures, focusing on the often-overlooked needs of non-offending and foster parents. Sasha shares firsthand observations of how young survivors process trauma, detailing emotional manifestations such as hyper-vigilance, dissociation, regression, and self-blame, as well as the behavioral challenges parents face when navigating disclosure. Transitioning to the caregiver's perspective, Dr. Moore frames the parental experience through a humanistic lens, illustrating how non-offending parents suffer profound emotional distress, secondary traumatization, social isolation, and a deep loss of purpose. Ultimately, the presenters advocate for humanistic counseling interventions and wellness strategies that validate parental grief, reduce self-blame, and rebuild family resilience alongside the child's therapeutic recovery.