Child Abuse Counseling

We at the Children’s Advocacy Center believe that any child who has experienced sexual abuse needs an evaluation and individual counseling. We also believe that counseling should be available to every child regardless of the family’s ability to pay.  Treating child victims requires specialized training and commitment.  Our therapists are licensed social workers or professional counselors who have had this specialized training.

Facing sexual abuse is traumatic and difficult.  Families that are committed to healing are able to move on without the lasting effects that child abuse can cause.

All children react to and are affected to abuse in different ways.  Some of the factors that may influence the effect of the abuse on your child are:

• The child’s stage of development
• The relationship of the abuser to the child
• The length of time the child was abused
• The support the child receives from the family
• How well the child was doing before the abuse
• The level of fear, guilt or shame the child feels

Some issues the child will explore in counseling are:

• Guilt
• Feelings of being different from other children
• Sadness and loss
• Fears
• Feelings of betrayal and loss of trust
• Anger
• Body image and self esteem

The counselors at The Children’s Advocacy Center will evaluate your child and set therapy goals with you and your child.  The child can be seen as long as she needs the services.