COMMUNITY COUNSELING
A Woman's Place (AWP) Counseling Services are free, private, confidential, and available to all victims of domestic violence. Our counselors and advocates provide individual and group counseling to clients experiencing domestic violence.
Clients are referred for counseling services that are specific to their immediate needs. Our counseling services are based on each individual's circumstances and can include individual crisis counseling or support groups, as well as an option for a referral to our Trauma Therapist on staff if additional support is needed and appropriate. Crisis counseling sessions are offered by our Community Counseling Advocates and are utilized to discuss safe options, safety planning, empowerment counseling, information and referrals, and psychoeducation about domestic violence and interpersonal trauma.
AWP Counselors also provide medical advocacy to victims of domestic violence requiring medical treatment. Clients who are receiving emergency and non-emergency medical care are eligible to speak to an on-call medical advocate/counselor at the time of treatment and can be met by the counselor at the health care site or hospital if needed.
SUPPORT GROUPS
AWP offers groups that meet on a weekly basis in various confidential locations across the county. At the current time, all support groups are held via virtual platform. Clients can gain access to these support groups by referral from a community counselor or hotline advocate. These support groups offer participants:
A peer-supported environment
A decrease in isolation
An increase in resources
Emotional support as well as shared wisdom and experience
Education about domestic violence and power/control dynamics
TRAUMA-Focused THERAPY
AWP offers trauma-focused therapy to victims of domestic violence who are experiencing significant post-traumatic stress. Clients are eligible to receive trauma-focused therapy after completion of short-term counseling with an empowerment counselor (however counseling advocates may send trauma therapy referrals sooner if crisis counseling is not needed). Trauma therapy can be most helpful for individuals who have experienced domestic violence as well as other various types of trauma and abuse throughout their lifetime. Trauma therapy is offered to teens 14+, adults, and older adults. Sessions are used to assist victims in processing current and past trauma in greater detail with hopes of resolving trauma-related symptoms and distress while promoting personal healing. Therapy sessions are held by licensed or pre-licensed therapists, and EMDR therapy is an evidence-based therapy option for clients when appropriate. Therapists will determine eligibility to participate in general trauma therapy or EMDR therapy and EMDR will be offered by therapists formally trained in EMDR therapy only. Clients participating in therapy are eligible to participate for a minimum of 15 sessions when appropriate, however ongoing therapy can be offered when appropriate based on each client’s unique therapy goals however, AWP is not a long-term mental health therapy provider, and at times, referrals for additional ongoing therapy services in the community may be recommended.
BECOMING U
Becoming U is a free 9-week psychoeducation program from A Woman's Place designed to respond to our clients' request for additional counseling support options. Becoming U is a group focused on trauma recovery, empowerment, and self-care and covers topics such as trauma and domestic violence, grief and loss, self-esteem, healthy relationships, and personal growth. All course materials will be provided.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
AWP provides emotionally supportive services for children and families. Services are available for children ages 3-18. The Children’s Program emphasizes the importance of restoring the connection between the non-abusive parent/caregiver and the children in the home. Services are short-term and geared around the needs of the child. Call our hotline or speak with a community counselor for more information about emotional support sessions, parental guidance or our seasonal programs such as yoga, art groups and recreational events.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY OF THE COUNSELING SERVICES AT A WOMAN'S PLACE, PLEASE CALL OUR 24-HOUR HOTLINE AT 1.800.220.8116 AND ONE OF OUR ADVOCATES WILL BE GLAD TO ASSIST YOU WITH THE NEXT STEPS.
