If you or your family members have experienced domestic or sexual violence, you can call or text our 24/7 hotline at 866-685-1122 to be referred for counseling at Safe+Sound Somerset.
Our clinicians are committed to supporting you through the many challenges faced due to abuse. Our highly trained clinicians are licensed compassionate professionals ready to tailor counseling to best meet your needs. Services are offered both in person and virtually and in English and Spanish to increase accessibility for all. Our counseling services help survivors of intimate partner violence heal from the trauma of their experiences, leading to feelings of courage and self-esteem, alleviation of trauma symptoms, and gain a new positive outlook on the future.
After completing the all-programs intake process, we collaborate on a treatment recommendation based on your personalized goals and current struggles. You will then be assigned to a clinician that can best serve you. There are several different types of treatments that Safe+Sound Somerset offers for both adults and youth.
Counseling for Adults
- Traditional: This treatment lets you collaborate with your clinician to shape your sessions based on your individual goals. The clinician uses their own personal techniques and skills to help you heal as a survivor of intimate partner violence. This therapeutic approach also helps you gain new insights and knowledge regarding domestic and sexual violence with the goal of preventing future abuse.
- K.I.T.E. Support Group: This group focuses on Knowledge as a powerful tool, Inspiration to heal from the impacts of abuse, Togetherness with fellow survivors who truly ‘get it,’ and Empowerment for survivors to become the healthiest versions of themselves. This weekly group runs continuously so you can join at any time.
- Prolonged Exposure (PE): Your clinician may offer this type of treatment if you are having a difficult time coping with a traumatic experience that meets criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PE helps you overcome the fear, anxiety, and stress related to your traumatic experience. This occurs by learning skills to gradually confront difficult and avoided situations, as well as thoughts and feelings both in session and in your day to day life.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Is an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals who have experienced trauma, such as victims of domestic violence, overcome their fear, anxiety, and stress as it relates to these experiences. EMDR relies on the empowering belief that with guidance by an EMDR trained clinician the client’s brain can heal itself.
Counseling for Youth
If you are looking for counseling children or teens, the process looks very similar to that for adults. A referral will be made, and we will call you and complete all the initial steps with the parent or guardian. Next, an intake will be conducted with a caregiver and then with the child or teen.
We currently offer two different types of treatment for youth:
- Traditional Youth Counseling: We focus on different components from both the youth’s and caregiver’s goals for treatment. Typically, we focus on education about domestic and sexual violence, identifying and modifying feelings and behaviors, relaxation skills, and boundaries – all in an age-appropriate, interactive, and engaging way!
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): Is specifically for children who are experiencing significant difficulties after a traumatic event has occurred and showing symptoms of PTSD. Components of traditional counseling are incorporated, plus other skills specific to coping with the symptoms of PTSD such as acting out at home or school and intense challenging emotions.
Youth Requirements
Youth who have experienced or witnessed Domestic Violence:
This service is offered to youth 3 years old and up. Involvement and consent from 1 caregiver is required.
Youth who have experienced Sexual Abuse or Assault:
This service is offered to youth 3 years old and up. Involvement and consent from 1 caregiver is required for ages 3-13, and encouraged for additional support for older teens over 13.
Youth who have experienced DV/SV and are exhibiting Problematic Sexual Behaviors:
This service is offered to youth ages 3-11. Involvement and consent from 1 caregiver is required.
If you are unsure, we will gladly provide additional information to help you with your decision.
To request a referral for counseling or if you would like more information about our counseling services, contact our 24/7 call and text helpline at 866-685-1122. Additional information about Safe+Sound Somerset and our services is also available at www.safe-sound.org.
