Helping Children Heal and Feel Safe Again
Each year, therapisht at A Safe Place help, on average, over 250 child witnesses of domestic violence learn to deal with feelings of fear and confusion, guilt and shame.
It is vital for these youngest of survivors to be able to deal with these strong emotions and to learn new and healthy ways of communicating and relating to others. If left unchallenged and uninterrupted, the dangerous lessons children have observed may be repeated as they grow into adulthood, continuing the cycle of violence for yet another generation.
Therapists at A Safe Place work with both residential and nonresidential children in a variety of settings. They encourage children to acknowledge and express their feelings.
All services are free of charge for survivor clients of A Safe Place. Children services are available for ages 6 and up.
Individual Counseling
One-on-one sessions with our therapists focus on issues of loneliness, confusion, fear, anger, and guilt. therapists help the children acknowledge their experiences and recognize that they were not to blame for the violence of adults. Strengthening a child’s self-esteem is a vital component of this work.
Advocacy
A Safe Place partners with other agencies, and within the legal and educational systems, on behalf of children. The agency’s role is to offer emotional support and to protect a child’s rights and interests. In addition, counselors are trained to detect signs of direct child abuse or sexual assault, in which case appropriate referrals are made. Children’s counselors work with each parent on an individual basis, teaching and modeling parenting skills when needed, and providing information on child development and the effects of abuse on children.
For more information, please contact us
(847) 731-7165
info@asafeplaceforhelp.org