Scam Victims Guide To Do-It-Yourself Exposure Therapy

Helping Scam Victims Along the Path to Forgiveness and Recovery

Authors:
•  Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

This article offers an approach to help scam victims navigate the complex emotions and challenges they face in the aftermath of a scam. By employing self-help acclimation or exposure therapy techniques, victims can begin on a path toward forgiveness and recovery.

Table of contents

Exposure therapy, a well-established psychological treatment, involves gradually confronting distressing stimuli or memories to reduce fear and anxiety responses. Adapted for scam victims, this approach aids in processing the trauma and rebuilding trust in oneself and others. Self-guided exposure techniques, such as learning, journaling, support, and visualization exercises, enable victims to confront their fears at a manageable pace.

Through gradual exposure and reflection, victims can develop coping skills, rebuild resilience, and ultimately move toward forgiveness and closure. Overall, employing exposure therapy techniques empowers scam victims to regain control, rebuild trust, and emerge stronger from their experiences.

SCARS Scam Victim Support & Recovery Program

Employing Self-Help Acclimation or Exposure Therapy for Scam Victims: A Path to Forgiveness and Recovery

In the aftermath of a scam, scam victims often grapple with a range of emotions, from shock and betrayal to anger and embarrassment. Moving forward from such a traumatic experience can be challenging, but employing acclimation or exposure therapy techniques can facilitate the journey toward forgiveness and recovery.

Exposure therapy, a proven psychological treatment for anxiety disorders, involves gradually confronting feared stimuli or memories to reduce fear and anxiety responses. While typically used for conditions like phobias and PTSD, adapting exposure therapy principles for scam victims can aid in processing the trauma and rebuilding trust in oneself and others. Normally it is done with a counselor or therapist but there are ways you can do it on your own.

Understanding Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy operates on the principle of habituation, where repeated exposure to distressing stimuli leads to a decrease in fear response over time.

The process involves confronting memories, situations, or emotions associated with the traumatic event in a controlled and systematic manner. By gradually exposing oneself to triggers associated with the scam, victims can learn to tolerate distressing feelings and develop positive coping strategies to manage them effectively. This approach empowers individuals to regain a sense of control over their emotions and reactions, paving the way for healing and recovery.

Self-Guided Exposure Techniques

Scam victims can employ various self-guided exposure techniques to acclimate or expose themselves to the reality of the scam and its aftermath.

One effective strategy is writing about the experience in detail, including thoughts, feelings, and memories associated with the scam. This process of narrative exposure allows victims to confront and process the trauma in a structured manner, gradually desensitizing themselves to the distressing memories. Additionally, engaging in visualization exercises, where victims mentally rehearse confronting triggers associated with the scam, can help desensitize emotional reactions and build resilience.

Gradual Exposure

Central to exposure therapy is the concept of gradual exposure, where individuals confront feared stimuli in a systematic and incremental manner. Scam victims can apply this principle by gradually exposing themselves to reminders of the scam, starting with less distressing triggers and progressively working towards more challenging ones. For example, victims can begin by revisiting emails or messages from the scammer, this is typically necessary for the police reporting process anyway, then gradually move on to reviewing financial records or discussing the experience with trusted individuals. This gradual approach allows victims to confront their fears at a manageable pace, minimizing the risk of overwhelming distress.

Building Resilience

Employing exposure therapy techniques not only helps scam victims acclimate to the reality of the scam but also helps to rebuild resilience in the face of adversity. By confronting and processing the trauma, scam victims develop coping skills and adaptive strategies to manage stress and uncertainty effectively. This newfound resilience enables individuals to navigate future challenges with greater confidence and self-assurance. Moreover, by rebuilding trust in themselves and their abilities to cope, victims can cultivate a sense of empowerment and agency over their recovery journey.

Forgiveness and Closure

As victims progress through their exposure therapy, they may find themselves moving toward forgiveness and closure. Confronting the trauma head-on allows individuals to gain perspective on the scam and its impact on their lives, recovering empathy and understanding towards themselves and others involved. Through the process of exposure and reflection, victims can release pent-up resentment and anger, freeing themselves from the emotional burden of the scam. Ultimately, forgiveness is a personal journey that allows individuals to let go of negative emotions and embrace healing and renewal.

The Essentials

SCARS provides the needed information to help scam victims engage in their self-help acclimation or exposure therapy on their own – though we do recommend that all scam victims have a competent trauma counselor or therapist to support them also.

Key self-help tools:

Seeking Professional Support

While self-guided exposure techniques can be beneficial, seeking professional support (recommended) from a therapist or counselor trained in trauma-focused therapy is recommended by SCARS for all scam victims. A qualified mental health professional can provide guidance, support, and personalized treatment to address the unique needs and challenges of scam-related trauma as well as past traumas that may have played a role in their vulnerability. Additionally, therapy offers a safe and supportive environment for victims to explore their feelings, process their experiences, and develop coping skills to promote long-term recovery and well-being.

To find counselors or therapists visit counseling.AgainstScams.org

Summary

Employing exposure therapy techniques can be a valuable tool for scam victims seeking to acclimate themselves to the reality of the scam and move forward toward forgiveness and recovery. By confronting and processing the trauma in a systematic and gradual manner, victims can regain a sense of control over their emotions, rebuild trust in themselves and others, and cultivate resilience in the face of adversity. While the journey towards healing may be challenging, with perseverance, support, and self-compassion, scam victims can emerge from the experience stronger, wiser, and more resilient than before.

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.

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Important Information for New Scam Victims

If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org

If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

A Question of Trust

At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.

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PLEASE NOTE: Psychology Clarification

The following specific modalities within the practice of psychology are restricted to psychologists appropriately trained in the use of such modalities:

  • Diagnosis: The diagnosis of mental, emotional, or brain disorders and related behaviors.
  • Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals to understand and resolve unconscious conflicts.
  • Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of trance in which individuals are more susceptible to suggestion. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and pain.
  • Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a type of therapy that teaches individuals to control their bodily functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and pain.
  • Behavioral analysis: Behavioral analysis is a type of therapy that focuses on changing individuals’ behaviors. It is often used to treat conditions such as autism and ADHD.
    Neuropsychology: Neuropsychology is a type of psychology that focuses on the relationship between the brain and behavior. It is often used to assess and treat cognitive impairments caused by brain injuries or diseases.

SCARS and the members of the SCARS Team do not engage in any of the above modalities in relationship to scam victims. SCARS is not a mental healthcare provider and recognizes the importance of professionalism and separation between its work and that of the licensed practice of psychology.

SCARS is an educational provider of generalized self-help information that individuals can use for their own benefit to achieve their own goals related to emotional trauma. SCARS recommends that all scam victims see professional counselors or therapists to help them determine the suitability of any specific information or practices that may help them.

SCARS cannot diagnose or treat any individuals, nor can it state the effectiveness of any educational information that it may provide, regardless of its experience in interacting with traumatized scam victims over time. All information that SCARS provides is purely for general educational purposes to help scam victims become aware of and better understand the topics and to be able to dialog with their counselors or therapists.

It is important that all readers understand these distinctions and that they apply the information that SCARS may publish at their own risk, and should do so only after consulting a licensed psychologist or mental healthcare provider.

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The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The author is solely responsible for the content of their work. SCARS is protected under the Communications Decency Act (CDA) section 230 from liability.

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