What they saw matters. What they feel matters more.
Children who grow up around violence carry it in their bodies long after the shouting stops. Our program gives kids ages 3–17 a place to play, talk, and process — at their own pace, in their own way, with adults who know what they've been through and aren't afraid of it.
"Witnessing abuse is abuse. Children don't 'just bounce back' — they need to be seen, named, and supported. We start there."
Different ages, different needs.
A four-year-old processes through play. A teenager processes through words, art, or refusing to talk for six weeks straight. We meet them all where they are.
Play therapy
Sand trays, dollhouses, and art. Little kids tell their stories with their hands. Sessions are 30 minutes and always include a parent check-in.
Mixed expressive
Play, drawing, narrative — and slowly, words. We help kids name what happened so it stops feeling like a secret they have to carry.
Talk & process
This age tends to blame themselves — for not stopping it, for being a "burden," for loving the parent who hurt them. We work directly on that.
Teen survivors group
For teens who witnessed abuse, experienced it from a parent, or are in a dating relationship that's gone sideways. Peer-led, counselor-facilitated.
Six things our children's team focuses on.
Naming what happened
Kids often don't have words for it. We help them find ones they can use without feeling disloyal or scared.
Body regulation
Trauma lives in the body. We teach grounding, breath, and movement so kids can come back to themselves when activated.
Reducing self-blame
Kids almost always think it was their fault. We say — clearly, often, in many ways — that it was not.
Rebuilding attachment
Parent-child sessions to repair the bond that abuse strained. Often the most powerful work we do.
School coordination
With your permission, we work with teachers, counselors, and IEP teams when behavior or academics are affected.
Healthy-relationship skills
For teens especially — what does respect look like, what's a red flag, how do you leave when you need to.
Parents, you're part of this.
Children heal best when their parent is supported too. Our children's team works in lockstep with your therapist or advocate, with regular parent check-ins, parent coaching sessions, and full transparency about what your child is working on (within their privacy).
No co-pay. No insurance required. No reporting to anyone — including the other parent — without your written consent.
The things parents ask us first.
"Fine" is a survival response. Kids learn to perform okayness early — especially in households where their feelings made things worse. The program is gentle and play-based; even kids who don't think they need it usually leave the first session asking when they can come back.
No. Not until they want to, if ever. Many of our youngest clients never discuss the abuse in words — they process through play, art, and movement. We follow the child's lead, always.
Sometimes yes (for the youngest kids), sometimes no (for teens, who need their own space). Your clinician will explain the format for your child's age and check in with you weekly regardless.
Both parents typically need to consent to therapy for a minor — but there are exceptions, especially in abuse cases. Our legal advocates can help you navigate this. Call the main line and ask.
Our clinicians are mandated reporters, like all licensed therapists. We're required to report current abuse or imminent danger to a child. We are not required to (and do not) report past abuse to CPS that you've already left, unless a child remains at risk.
That's normal. We have a few approaches: a one-time low-pressure intro session, a peer group with other teens, or simply waiting and keeping the door open. We'll work with you on it.
Your child can heal.
So can you.
The first step is a 20-minute call with our children's program coordinator. They'll listen, ask about your child, and help you decide what's next — group, individual, or just more information for now.