Sex trafficking is often hidden in plain sight. For clinicians, community members, and anyone passionate about social justice, learning how to recognize the signs, prevent exploitation, and provide meaningful treatment is critical. In this episode of The Self Careapist Therapist Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, professor at Arizona State University and director of multiple anti-trafficking initiatives, to explore the realities and responses surrounding sex trafficking victims.

The Importance of Identification

One challenges survivors face is naming their experience. Many clients don’t initially identify as trafficking victims, which can create barriers to care. Dominique explains how providing clear language and definitions can validate survivors’ stories and help them access specialized resources. For clinicians, this means using trauma-informed, non-shaming questions and staying educated before clients walk into the room. The reminder that we as clinicians can ask what is necessary for treatment rather than what is available for our curiousity.

Prevention: a macro approach to trafficking

Prevention extends beyond education. Dominique shares how community partnerships; in this case collaborations with police, jails, and nonprofits, help create early intervention points. From diversion programs to drop-in centers, prevention strategies work best when agencies coordinate and respond quickly to the vulnerabilities traffickers exploit.

Treatment for Sex Trafficking Victims

Treatment requires flexibility, compassion, and containment skills. Survivors often carry layers of trauma, shame, and mistrust. Dominique describes her Sex Trafficking Awareness and Recovery (STAR) Group, a CBT-based program that helps clients reclaim their identity, build coping skills, and move toward self-defined healing. For therapists, she emphasizes the importance of:

• Gaining expertise outside of client sessions (not learning solely from client disclosures).
• Offering unconditional positive regard while avoiding toxic positivity.
• Recognizing burnout and practicing authentic self-care.

What Clinicians Need to Know

Working with sex trafficking victims is demanding and deeply rewarding. Clinicians can begin by:

• Seeking specialized training and supervision.
• Using accurate, client-driven language.
• Connecting survivors with housing, employment, and community supports.
• Remaining aware of their own limits, boundaries, and needs for support.

Final Thoughts

Sex trafficking is not a distant problem; it’s happening in our communities every day. As Dominique reminds us, identification, prevention, and treatment are all connected. There are opportunities to show up in this work with funding, donations, time and clinical expertise.

Resources:

Nonprofit Incubator

Resource Guide for Mental Health Professionals