In the face of life's most challenging moments, trauma counseling offers a pathway to reclaiming strength, hope, and resilience.
Before they became victims, most survivors of trafficking experienced some form of trauma in their lives that left them vulnerable to exploitation. Add to that the experience of trafficking and sexual exploitation, and their trauma compounds to disrupt their ability to function, make good decisions, and regulate their emotions.
PTSD is common among survivors of human trafficking. When victims come into our programs or the shelter, they often behave like time bombs, and any little reminder of their previous pain can “trigger” or send them into an uncontrolled emotional episode. They suffer nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and severe emotional distress.
NightLight has tried to meet the mental and emotional needs of the women by providing counseling in various forms. In Bangkok, we’ve sought counseling services through other organizations for women who were in crisis. The services were limited, and not enough to meet the needs of the many women freed from trafficking but left in bondage to their trauma. In Missouri, we launched a pilot program in 2023 to offer counseling services to the women we serve there.
In each location, even with limited services, we saw powerful results in the lives of the women who participated. In 2024, we doubled down on our efforts to offer this essential service to the women: counseling was expanded in Missouri into an official program, and in November, NightLight Bangkok hired a full-time counselor to work with the Thai and International women who suffer from PTSD and are in bondage to a life of trauma.
Access to Counseling is a Lifeline for Survivors
Trauma counseling is an important component of a survivor’s recovery. It provides them with the tools and support they need to process their experiences and respond in healthy ways to the regular stresses and demands of daily life.
A recent example comes from a woman at our shelter in Bangkok. She had an emotional meltdown after being triggered by a comment from another victim. She asked to speak to the counselor and was able to regain composure and calm after having someone to talk to. This woman had considered suicide twice before coming to us. Now, she has hope that someone will hear, listen, and understand her pain, and she’s making progress toward a brighter future.
Participants in our Missouri pilot program shared that they experienced improved mental health, enhanced coping skills, better sleep, and a better quality of life. By addressing the root causes of trauma and working through painful memories, many of the women found relief from symptoms like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Ultimately, the trauma counseling we offered empowered survivors to reclaim control over their lives and move forward with confidence.
Success Story: Overcoming Trauma Through Counseling
We are seeing progress and healing take place as women receive counseling services. They are taking steps forward and growing in capacity for resilience. One survivor in Missouri bravely shared the following about her experience:
"For me, this counseling feels like pieces of a puzzle that were missing and are now falling into place. I feel completely safe in the space provided and in the confidentiality of NightLight.
In just this small amount of time [a few sessions], I'm already learning ways to help manage my anxiety, help control my racing thoughts, my PTSD and triggers, and manage time and other symptoms from the trauma I've experienced. That right there is gold!
It is extremely rare in my experience to find someone as qualified as my counselor. Honestly, it's giving me hope that I don't have to stay stuck in my old behaviors and maybe can find some peace and joy for my life!" ~ Survivor in Missouri
Help Us Provide Counseling Services in 2025
Considering the amazing success we’ve seen since the launch of the initial pilot program in Missouri and the increasing need in Bangkok, we want to take a big step forward by expanding the counseling services we offer. In 2025 we plan to provide counseling as a service to survivors of human trafficking in Bangkok and also expand the availability of counseling at our Missouri location!
These expansions will enable us to reach women with this crucial service who have previously been out-of-reach. In Bangkok, women at our shelter will have access to a counselor on staff instead of having to turn to other organizations. In Missouri, we’ll begin offering virtual counseling appointments to clients who live in rural areas and don’t have access to trauma counseling in their areas.
This Giving Tuesday, we launched a campaign to raise $30,000 to cover the costs of providing counseling services in both of NightLight’s locations in 2025. We’re asking for your help to provide this essential service on a regular, ongoing basis to survivors who will benefit by breaking free of the trauma that holds them back from full recovery. Give today to come along survivors as they build mental resilience on the path to full recovery.
