Eligibility

ChildSafe therapy is an opportunity to continue the healing process after an investigation has been initiated. Teens and children ages 3-17 who have experienced abuse trauma as well as additional household non-offending family members may be eligible. Referrals are made internally through Family Support Specialists or Community Based Family Advocates. There is no cost to the family for these services.

Therapy Modalities Offered by ChildSafe

ChildSafe offers the following trauma-specific evidenced-based therapy modalities:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
  TF-CBT focuses on addressing how some thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have been shaped by trauma. TF-CBT helps to process difficult experiences and build positive coping skills to both manage and reduce distress in healthy ways.

• Parent-Child Care (PCCare)
  PCCare is a brief intervention treatment (six sessions) for caregivers and children ages 3-10 who have may have difficulty communicating and interacting in a healthy way together, especially in relation to the child’s trauma.  The caregiver is supported in building positive interaction skills with their child.

• Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI)
  CFTSI is brief intervention therapy (five-eight sessions) focused on reducing trauma symptoms in children and teenagers ages 7-17 soon after the trauma or report of the trauma.  Both the caregiver and child/teen participate in sessions to build upon and strengthen support and communication within their relationship.

• Phase Based Therapy (PBT)
  This therapy is provided in combination with either TF-CBT or PCCare in order to address specific behavioral concerns and patterns for children ages 3-12.  This treatment focuses on developing healthy expectations, boundaries, and communication.

• Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
  EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages briefly focusing on trauma memories while experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements) which can help with a reduction in the intensity and frequency of difficult emotions and thoughts associated with these memories.

 Therapy Is Important

Processing and addressing trauma-related symptoms reduces the risk of long-term challenges and family relationship stressors. Understanding and identifying triggers and responses early on reduces the intensity of current struggles and can aid in protecting from future negative reactions. Our therapists engage children and their supportive caregivers as an opportunity to build and sustain resiliency and other protective factors moving forward.

 What steps are involved in starting and continuing therapy?

• Once confirmed that a child/teen meets the criteria for our trauma-specific services, a referral for clinical therapy will be placed at the request of the caregiver. The timeframe for being assigned a therapist depends on whether there is a waitlist and specific needs for modalities, language, and scheduling.
• All ChildSafe therapists are licensed mental health care providers through the state of Texas and abide by their licensure ethics and state requirements. Custody/consent documentation is required as a part of this process when applicable.
• The first few sessions will include the completion of paperwork, assessments, and the development of a treatment plan. These steps help the therapist ensure that the appropriate type of treatment will be implemented.
• Sessions are typically scheduled weekly in order to progress in a steady and consistent manner. Regular attendance is important for building skills and maintaining progress.
• While session participation will vary depending on the modality of therapy and the age and development of the child, caregiver engagement is imperative to the successful completion and implementation of therapy processes and skills.
• If a child/teen’s main mental health needs are outside trauma-specific or continue beyond the completion of trauma-specific therapy, therapists will share about other resource options in the community. Additional non-therapeutic needs may also be met through family support specialists, community based family advocates, or other providers who are supporting the family.