Healing is possible
If you have survived sexual abuse, please hear this: you are not alone, and it was not your fault. Bret Legg offers safe, confidential, faith-based support for survivors in Augusta, GA and online — moving entirely at your pace. You share only what you're ready to, and healing, real and lasting, can begin from right where you are.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 — free, confidential, 24/7.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 — 24/7 support if you're in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself.
You are not alone, and it was not your fault
What happened to you was wrong, and it was never your responsibility to carry. Survivors often live for years with shame, fear, or a quiet voice that says they should have done something differently. That voice is lying. The blame belongs entirely to the person who caused the harm — never to you.
You may feel numb, or anxious, or exhausted from holding it all together. You may have told no one, or told someone and not been believed. Wherever you are, you are welcome here, exactly as you are. Healing does not ask you to be strong enough first. It simply asks you to take one small, safe step — and you don't have to take it alone.
What compassionate help looks like
Walking with a survivor is gentle, unhurried work. Bret's role is to offer a steady, caring presence and to help you find hope and footing again — never to push, pressure, or make you relive anything before you're ready.
- You set the pace. You decide what to talk about and when. Some seasons are mostly about feeling safe again, and that is meaningful progress.
- You share only what you're ready to. Healing does not require recounting every detail. The focus stays on your safety, your faith, and the steps forward.
- You are treated with dignity. No labels, no judgment, no "victim" framing — just a real person who is listened to and believed.
- Faith is an anchor, not a demand. Bret works from a Christian, biblical foundation and points gently toward hope, while meeting you wherever you are.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3
Is what I share confidential?
Yes. Your story is held with deep care and privacy. You decide what to share and when, and Bret will always explain the rare limits to confidentiality — such as a risk of serious harm — clearly and up front, before you share anything.
There is no script you have to follow and no timeline you have to keep. Many survivors begin simply by reaching out and saying very little at first. That is enough. You can move forward an inch at a time, and you can pause whenever you need to. Your sense of safety always comes first.
Pastoral care alongside professional help
It's important to be clear and honest: Bret is a pastoral counselor, not a licensed clinical therapist. Pastoral counseling offers faith-based care, spiritual support, and a compassionate companion for the journey — but it is not a replacement for trauma therapy or medical care.
Many survivors heal best with a team of support around them. Bret often works alongside licensed trauma professionals, and he will gladly help you connect with clinical or medical care when that is the right next step. Pastoral and professional care are not in competition — together they surround you with the support you deserve.
| Pastoral care with Bret | Licensed trauma therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Faith, hope, spiritual support, and a caring companion for the journey | Clinical care for the effects of trauma |
| Provided by | A pastoral counselor (non-clinical) | A licensed, trained clinician |
| Especially helpful for | Walking with you spiritually, gently and at your pace | Diagnosis, evidence-based trauma treatment, and medical needs |
| Can they work together? | Yes. Bret gladly works alongside and refers to licensed professionals — many survivors find the most healing with both kinds of support. | |
There is no wrong door. Whether you start with pastoral care, a licensed therapist, or a hotline tonight, what matters is that you don't carry this alone. Reaching out, in any form, is a brave and good step.
Questions survivors often ask
Can pastoral counseling help survivors of sexual abuse?
Yes. Bret offers safe, confidential, faith-based support for survivors, moving at your pace toward healing, freedom, and hope. You're never rushed and never alone in it.
Is this confidential and safe?
Yes. Your story is held with deep care and privacy. You decide what to share and when, and Bret will always explain the rare limits to confidentiality up front.
Is pastoral counseling a replacement for trauma therapy or medical care?
No. Bret is a pastoral counselor, not a licensed clinical therapist. He often works alongside licensed trauma professionals and will help you connect with clinical care when that's the right step.
What if I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about it?
That's completely okay. Many survivors begin simply by reaching out. You can share as little as you want at first, and healing moves at the pace that's safe for you.
Do I have to share details of what happened?
No. Healing doesn't require reliving every detail. Bret focuses on your safety, your faith, and the steps forward — not on making you recount things you're not ready to share.
Where can I get help right now if I'm in crisis?
If you're in immediate danger, call 911. You can reach the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673, or call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Reach out, in your own time
You don't have to explain everything or use the right words. A short message is enough. Bret will respond gently and follow your lead — there's no pressure and no rush.
Reach out through the contact form
Prefer to read first? Explore how pastoral counseling works or browse resources for hope and healing.