Counseling and Groups
The Children’s Advocacy Center is committed to providing a safe place for children to begin the healing process after they have experienced abuse. Our team of Master’s level social workers provides evidence-based therapy to children of every age. Since child abuse affects the whole family, the services provided at the Children’s Advocacy Center are available FREE OF CHARGE to every child and their non-offending caregivers. When a child comes to the Children’s Advocacy Center for a forensic interview, clinical staff work with each family to determine the best treatment options. Clinical staff are specially trained in evidence-based treatment approaches with a firm understanding of the effects of trauma. Treatment is available both in person and virtually through telehealth. Your therapist will work with you and your child to determine the best fit. Additionally, play, expressive art, and sensory interventions are utilized in the treatment provided to children, adolescents, and adults.
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is a conjoint child and parent psychotherapy approach for children and adolescents who are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties related to traumatic life events. This type of evidence-based treatment has been determined as best practice for use with abused and traumatized children. TFCBT helps families to manage feelings, talk about the trauma, and develop plans for feeling safe in the future.
Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI)
CFTSI is a short-term (5‐8 session), evidence‐based early intervention for children 7 to 18 years old that reduces traumatic stress reactions. CFTSI is implemented following a traumatic event or the disclosure of physical or sexual abuse. CFTSI has been found to be successful by increasing communication and family support, identifying prominent traumatic stress reactions and pairing them with coping skills which leads to lessening the potential onset of PTSD.
Problematic Sexual Behavior- Phase Based Treatment (PSB-PBT)
PSB-PBT, a short-term skills-based treatment, is designed for children under the age of 10 who are displaying problematic sexual behaviors. This treatment aims to address the cause of the problematic sexual behavior that is being displayed by working conjointly with the caregiver(s) and child to decrease these behaviors.
Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART)
Sensory Motor Regulation Treatment is a form of counseling specially designed for children and youth who have been affected by complex trauma (i.e. sexual abuse, violence, adoption, etc.). SMART includes three major components: emotional and behavioral regulation, trauma processing, and attachment. To address emotional regulation, SMART uses concepts and clinical evidence from the sensory integration field. The basic equipment, including physio balls, weighted blankets, and crash cushions, provided different types of sensory input for arousal regulation. To address trauma processing this treatment uses embodied action, games, and symbolic and dramatic play. To stimulate attachment, SMART therapists work with children and their non-offending caregivers to improve relational security through active, playful engagement. Children who are engaged in SMART can become more self-aware and calm in situations that typically cause stress.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an evidence-based treatment that was originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it has since been used to treat a wide range of mental health issues. EMDR recreates eye movements similar to when we are in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. This type of therapy shows us that the mind can heal from emotional trauma, similar to how our body can heal from physical trauma. EMDR is safe for kids, teens, and adults.
The Children’s Advocacy Center strives to meet the unique needs of all of our clients. We offer a variety of groups such as skill-building teen, child, and caregiver groups, teen processing groups, caregiver and teen support groups, and various workshops. In hopes of providing the most meaningful and effective services for our clients and families, we tailor groups to meet clinical best practices. For this reason, our groups are always evolving. Please reach out to CAC therapist, Mariah Adamy, at madamy@cac-ottawa.org, for our current and upcoming groups, or to reach out if you or someone you know is interested in attending a group or workshop.
CHILD SKILL-BUILDING GROUP
A group for children aged 6 to 10 years old to learn about and practice a range of coping skills such as breathing techniques, emotion release, stress relief, and relaxation techniques. Psychoeducation on the skills is also provided to caregivers to help the child continue to build these skills at home and school.
TEEN SKILL-BUILDING GROUP
A group for survivors of sexual assault and abuse ages 14-18. Participants will learn about the dynamics of sexual abuse and trauma, effective emotion processing techniques, coping skills, setting boundaries, and healthy relationships in a supportive peer environment. Expressive art, writing activities, music, and more are tools used in this group to help build these skills.
TEEN PROCESSING GROUP
This support group is designed to create opportunity for teens ages 14-18, to process their experiences related to sexual abuse and sexual assault through art, writing, movement, and other unique activities. You will learn about yourself while also having the opportunity to connect with a group of teens that share a similar experience.
TEEN SUPPORT GROUP
Held in the fall of each year, this teen support group is a safe space open for teens who have experienced sexual abuse/assault to process challenges related to their experience in a supportive and healing environment. This is an open group, meaning participants may join the group at any time within the months the group is being held.
PARTNERING WITH PARENTS GROUP
This group provides a secure, supportive, and nonjudgemental space to meet with other non-offending parents/caregivers who have child(ren) who have experienced sexual assault and abuse. Participants will learn about trauma and dynamics of sexual abuse, along with obtaining practical tools to build resilience for themselves and their families.
NON-OFFENDING PARENT / CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
The caregiver support group provides an opportunity to meet with other parents/caregivers in a secure, supportive, and nonjudgmental space. The goal of this support group is for caregivers to have a community of supports who relate and understand the challenges paired with providing care to someone who has experienced sexual assault and abuse. This is an open group, meaning participants may join the group at any time within the months the group is being held.
WORKSHOPS
Throughout the year we host different one-time workshops for both kids and caregivers covering a variety of topics such as self-care, regulation, healthy relationships, and connection. We also have short-term groups running throughout the year depending on the current client’s need and what partnerships we have with local organizations. These groups are always changing as we enjoy offering something new to our clients.
