Children who have witnessed domestic violence or who have been abused often experience complex and long-lasting effects.

Our Children’s Program staff are allies to the children and families seeking services. We offer crisis intervention and longer-term support, and advocate for each child's individual needs.

Our staff employ a variety of experiential therapies, using art, play, and nature-based techniques to help children improve their self-confidence, ability to express emotions, and communication patterns. We collaborate with other service providers in the child’s life, especially schools, to ensure that their emotional needs are being met.

While our Children's Advocacy Program is focused on the needs of children, these services are fully integrated into the comprehensive services provided at Safe Passage. Children’s Program staff collaborate with counseling, shelter, and legal staff to help families address the varied impacts of domestic violence.

Now offering Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is now available for children ages 3 to 18 years of age and their non-abusing caregiver. This service helps children, adolescents, and their parents or caregivers overcome trauma-related experiences, including domestic violence.

Our counselors help children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence to learn skills to reduce stress, improve behavior, and feel a sense of safety. At the same time, caregivers will learn skills that support their children.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is typically conducted weekly for eight to twelve weeks and can be offered in person at our offices or virtually over zoom.

To get more information about our services for children, call our helpline Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm at (413) 586-5066.