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Sexual Trauma Therapy for Men in Ottawa and Across Ontario and Quebec
Valley of Growth Psychotherapy
1900 City Park Drive, Suite 300, Ottawa, K1J1G7
As a man who has experienced sexual trauma...
You may have learned to keep those experiences to yourself out of shame or "weakness", and to push forward. But even when you don't talk about it, the past still tends to "call the shots" and impact your relationships, your sex life, your body, or the way you see yourself.
You may find yourself seeking sex frequently or avoiding sex, while feeling a strong need for sexual connection, validation, or release. At times, sex may become a way of coping with difficult emotions, feeling in control, or escaping what you're carrying. This can create tension when your sexual desires don't match your partner's, leaving you feeling confused, frustrated, or ashamed.
Specialized EMDR and IFS therapy for men can help you process and release what you've been carrying, understand the patterns that you developed to protect yourself, and reconnect with your body, sexuality, and sense of self with greater freedom, confidence, and choice.
EMDR and IFS therapy for men offers more than simply talking about your trauma. These approaches can help you process what you've been carrying, understand how it continues to affect you, and reconnect with the authentic version of yourself, including a healthier and more comfortable relationship with your sexuality.
Meet Valérie Boisvert, Registered Psychotherapist
Valérie Boisvert, M.Ed., RP (#15402)
Registered Psychotherapist with CRPO
English & French
Ottawa, Ontario
Valérie Boisvert (M.Ed., RP #15402) is a bilingual Registered Psychotherapist offering in-person trauma-focused psychotherapy and sex therapy in Ottawa and virtually across Ontario and Quebec. She has a particular focus on supporting men who have experienced sexual trauma, while also welcoming women seeking support for trauma and sexuality-related concerns. Her trauma-focused approach integrates EMDR and IFS therapy. Learn more about Valérie and her areas of specialty on the About page.
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Who does Valérie work with?
Valérie Boisvert (M.Ed., RP #15402) works with adults survivors of all genders, with a particular focus on supporting men who experience the following challenges:
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Anxiety, flashbacks, rumination and emotional overwhelm during intimacy
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Frequently seeking sex or avoiding it
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Emotional numbness or dissociation
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Difficulties accepting changes in sexual desire or feeling disconnected from body
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Difficulty feeling safe or present during sex
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Shame, self-blame, self-disgust and feeling weak, damaged or inadequate
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Difficulty with arousal, orgasm or masturbation after trauma
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Difficulty trusting and communicating sexual needs and boundaries
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Difficulty regulating emotions ; Anger, irritability, or feeling constantly tense
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Difficulty expressing emotions and vulnerability or asking for help,
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Feeling the need to handle everything on your own
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Relationship difficulties, emotional distance, or fear of getting close
Valérie Boisvert (M.Ed., RP #15402)'s clients have often experienced the following:
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Childhood sexual abuse, exploitation, sex trafficking or pressured masturbation
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Sexual assault, grooming, coercion, or unwanted sexual experiences
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Childhood emotional or physical abuse
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Neglect or growing up in an unsafe or unpredictable environment
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Being exposed to sexual content at a young age without consent ; Being pressured to take or look at sexual images or videos
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Sexual abuse by a family member, trusted adult, friend, neighbour, babysitter, coach, or other person
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Religious or spiritual environments involving sexual abuse or shame
What does Valérie offer?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused approach that can help you process distressing experiences and memories that continue to affect how you feel, think, or respond in the present.
IFS (Internal Family Systems) and parts work can help you better understand the different parts of yourself that developed in response to difficult experiences. Together, we can approach these parts with curiosity and compassion while building greater self-understanding and self-trust.
Sex therapy provides a supportive, non-judgmental space to explore concerns related to sexuality, intimacy, sexual well-being, and your relationship with your body. This may be particularly relevant for individuals whose experiences of trauma have affected their relationship with sexuality, intimacy, or their sense of safety in their body.
FAQ
Do I have to talk about everything that happened in my trauma?
No. You are always in control of what you choose to share. Therapy moves at your pace, with an emphasis on safety, choice, and control. You do not need to share details before you feel ready.
What are your fees, and do you offer direct billing?
Valérie's current session fees are listed on the Services & Fees page. Direct billing to insurance providers is not offered; payment is made at the end of the therapy session and a receipt is sent by email to provide to insurance companies for reimbursement.
How does Valérie Boisvert (M.Ed., RP) provide therapy to men with sexual trauma?
Valérie provides a confidential, non-judgmental space where men can talk about experiences that may be difficult, shameful, or hard to put into words. Therapy can address the ways sexual trauma may affect emotions, relationships, sexuality, self-worth, and connection with the body. Using approaches such as EMDR and IFS, therapy focuses on helping you understand and work through what you've been carrying at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Does Valérie Boisvert (M.Ed., RP) provide couples counselling?
No. Valérie's practice focuses on individual psychotherapy and sex therapy. Although relationship and intimacy concerns can be explored in individual therapy, couples counselling is not offered.
What is EMDR therapy for childhood and sexual trauma?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused approach that can help you process distressing experiences and memories. For survivors of childhood and sexual trauma, EMDR may help reduce the emotional intensity of memories, shame, triggers, and body-based reactions, while supporting a greater sense of safety and control in the present.
Does Valérie Boisvert (M.Ed., RP) offer therapy in French and English?
Yes. Valérie offers therapy in both French and English, allowing you to choose the language that feels most comfortable for you.
How many sessions can it take to work through childhood and sexual trauma?
There is no set number of sessions. The length of therapy depends on your needs, goals, experiences, and pace. EMDR may involve spending time preparing before beginning trauma processing, while IFS allows you to explore different parts and patterns at a pace that feels manageable. Some clients may focus on a specific concern, while others may choose to work more deeply over time.
What happens during a free consultation with a sexual trauma therapist?
The free consultation is a chance to talk briefly about what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and learn more about Valérie's works with sexual trauma. You do not need to share your whole story ; The goal is simply to see whether the approach and the therapist feel like a good fit for you.
What is IFS therapy for childhood and sexual trauma?
IFS (Internal Family Systems) is a therapeutic approach that helps you understand the different parts of yourself that may have developed in response to difficult or traumatic experiences. For survivors of childhood and sexual trauma, IFS can help you explore protective patterns, shame, self-blame, emotional reactions, and disconnection from yourself or your body with greater curiosity and compassion.
Does Valérie Boisvert (M.Ed., RP) work with men only?
No. While Valérie has a particular focus on supporting men who have experienced sexual trauma, she also works with women experiencing trauma, sexuality, intimacy, and related concerns.
Does Valérie Boisvert (M.Ed., RP) offer in-person and virtual therapy?
Yes. Valérie offers in-person therapy in Ottawa as well as virtual sessions for clients located in Ontario and Quebec.
Can therapy help if the sexual trauma happened a long time ago?
Yes. The impact of sexual trauma can continue to affect you years, even decades, after the experience. You don't have to be struggling immediately after what happened to benefit from therapy. We can focus on how your past may still be affecting your emotions, relationships, sexuality, body, or sense of self today, at a pace that feels right for you.