Trust yourself: If the news is upsetting you, it is because the news is upsetting.

In large doses, media exposure can be overwhelming, so pace yourself.

Recognize that you are not alone, and it may help to note the allies fighting for accountability.

Inside and outside of my psychotherapy office, there is undiluted fury. Panic attacks after reading social media posts. Disgust. A deep sadness, followed by rage.

The Epstein files detail correspondence of powerful, mostly white, rich men discussing and joking about their abuse of children, their pedophilia, and worse. There is a disconcerting feeling, familiar from the uncovering of abuses by pedophilic priests, as we recognize that the public persona and the private actions don’t sync. Readers of the files feel shaken to the core as they read emails detailing decades of molestation, even murder. We have entered a horror movie without our consent.

Part of being a psychotherapist is recognizing and validating pain. The role becomes especially important when society at large has been dismissive. As we learn more about Epstein and his colleagues, the daunting depth of American misogyny becomes clear. While there were male victims, it seemed much easier to find girls to exploit and harm. The female body was considered a disposable toy. A child’s bodily integrity was not of concern. It makes sense that you are feeling half -sick as you learn more about the flagrant child abuse of the Epstein clan.

And the lack of concern for the victims’ well-being is not just in the past. At a recent Congressional hearing, Pam Bondi refused to turn around and look at the Epstein survivors. One doesn’t need to be male to dismiss female suffering — internalized misogyny exists.

We note what officials........

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