At The Center for Family Safety and Healing (TCFSH), our mission is to break the cycle of family violence and restore hope. If you have, or know, a child that has been exposed to trauma, it’s important to seek out appropriate treatment and support. Trauma is the experience of violence or victimization including sexual abuse, physical abuse, severe neglect, loss, domestic violence or witnessing of violence, terrorism or disasters.

As parents, we know you want the best for your child. That’s why TCFSH offers evidence-based treatment for kids in both individual and group settings. Our Family Support Program team offers therapy for kids ages 3-18, and some of our staff come out to a home or school to provide treatment, depending on the child’s needs.

What can I expect?
We have a specialized intake team to help determine the type of treatment that would best benefit each child. Parents can give us a call at 614-722-8212 and provide any symptoms, along with the type of trauma that a child experienced. After learning about a few options, we would likely ask a parent or caregiver to bring the child into TCFSH.

Each child will receive a clinical diagnostic assessment and based on this, a trained clinician will recommend the most clinically appropriate type of treatment. Our clinicians will take the family’s preference into account when making treatment recommendations.

The most common therapy option we offer through our Family Support Program is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). The goals of TFCBT are to process the trauma, reduce risk of re-victimization and to teach skills that help increase a child’s ability to be assertive, social and participate in extra-curricular activities. This type of therapy is widely supported because it does work and focuses on the child as well as the parent/caregiver and how they can best support the child moving forward.

How long would my child be in therapy?
Therapy is not forever; it varies based on individual and family circumstances. However, on average, therapy sessions last anywhere from 3-5 months. Sessions are generally an hour, once per week. Most of our group therapy sessions are after school, between 4:30 and 7 p.m. However, if you’ve got a preschool-aged child, we have morning group sessions available at 10 a.m.

What if I have more than one child who needs therapy?
That’s okay. The safety and well being of all children exposed to trauma is important to us. Based on family preferences and situations, we have the ability to offer therapy sessions in which siblings can stay together in the same room. We may have volunteers who can provide childcare during appointments, depending on availability.

Which type of therapy is right for my child – individual or group?
Each child will have their own unique experience. Based on symptoms the child is showing, (e.g., separation anxiety, disruptive behaviors) our clinicians can recommend options. If you feel your child is not doing well in a particular type of therapy, you can speak with the clinician to work out what is best for you and your child. Treatment groups help children and adolescents to express feelings, decrease isolation, learn about safety planning, healthy relationships, and provide education to non-offending caregiver(s) or parent(s).

The most important thing parents and caregivers can do is believe a child when they come forward about abuse or witnessing violence.

To learn more about family therapy options at TCFSH, please visit http://familysafetyandhealing.org/programs-and-services/counseling-services/child-and-family-counseling/.