If I may add my 2 cents...

I hadn't read the thread being discussed here until I happened to read this one. Wondering what would get someone so upset made me go read the thread in question. I noticed a few things.

First.. In the beginning Anthony seemed to push her to open up in public and used the idea that it was for the benefit for others on the forum.

Why would he do this? I would think.. and I do believe.. someone who feels so much guilt over something would benefit more from talking to others that understand. Letting that fear of quilt keep them from talking would not be beneficial. They need "peers" to tell them they understand! Hearing it from a therapist "a professional or Anthony" is different.

She was willing to talk yet wanted to "hide" in a private forum... in my mind that meant she was some what OK with talking about her experience.. yet needed that safe feeling because of the quilt. To get over the guilt she needed to expose herself in a way to others. Anthony knew others would NOT tell her she deserved what she got or anything mean and cruel like that.. so knew that she would benefit more by hearing others say they understood.

And by Anthony telling her that by her talking about her experience it would benefit others on the form... I think that showing her she IS helping others would help make her feel OK about talking! Letting her know that by helping herself she is also helping others makes anyone feel better about doing something that they don't really want to do yet know they should.

I wonder if what really caused the anger that started this thread is because Anthony told her that yes she is partially responsible for what happened. Someone with PTSD and who had some trauma happen to them could possibly take offense to that. Yes being partially at fault for your trauma or hearing that be said to someone could be a huge trigger! But specifically in the case referred to.. I do believe it is going to be more helpful then not.

Cypher knew deep down that she should have done something when she felt something was wrong. This is what started the guilt feelings! She is not a child and so knows she should have done something.. yet felt helpless. Feeling helpless at the time she did (not calling the police to have her mom and mom's boyfriend removed before things happened) IS something most all of us can understand! Personally if I where in that situation I don't know if I would have done anything different! Yet that doesn't take away that bit of guilt feeling. In her case she has TOO MUCH guilt. Letting her accept some bit of guilt but not others is going to be a huge step in her healing! knowing what specifically she can feel guilty for and what not seems to be where she is having trouble the most. Getting past that will be what she most needs to help start the healing process.

Hearing someone attack Anthony just because he pushed someone to do something they felt a bit reluctant to do is awful. He never MADE her talk... the opposite actually! She could have refused and talked only in private! If that had happened then I do believe Anthony would have known she wasn't ready yet! She more seemed to be unsure.. wavering so to speak in her comfort level. And Anthony let her talk.. AND let others respond so she could hear the public opinion and feel relief at having opened up BEFORE he started talking specifically to her about what had happened!

So anyways... Well done both Cypher and Anthony!

I hope you both continue on and heal and grow and be the people you should be.. not someone crippled by the affects of PTSD!