Therapy
Therapy is a vital piece of the healing process.
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The staff and volunteers at Ralston House strongly encourage you and your child to receive professional counseling directly following your visit to Ralston House. You can make an appointment while you are at Ralston House. As your child is being interviewed, you can talk to the Ralston House support advocate about therapy options for your child and yourself. If you have questions about trauma-focused therapy or questions about symptoms your child may be exhibiting that concern you, please do not hesitate to call Ralston House at 720-898-6741.
Benefits to Children
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Reinforce that the abuse is not the child’s fault
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Reassure children that nothing is wrong with them ~ they were not chosen or picked over other children
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Learn strategies to manage the consequences of being exposed to trauma
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Receive help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), dissociation, avoidance, if needed
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Integrate the exposure to precocious knowledge (i.e., acting-out behavior)
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Secure the sexual identity process
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Regain control of sexual, behavioral and cognitive developmental processes
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Provide clarity and reinforcement of appropriate boundaries
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Manage their protective feelings of offender
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Reinstate trust in the world and belief systems
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Manage the effects of being abused ~ research suggests that effects of sexual abuse can be minimized if dealt with up front or immediately after a disclosure instead of in adult life
Benefits to Parents / Caregivers
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Reinforce that the abuse is not the parent’s fault
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Manage your protective feelings of offender
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Reinstate trust in the world and belief systems
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Manage secondary trauma symptoms
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Gain knowledge of treatment process
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Appropriately talk to the child about what happened
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Appropriately talk to the child about boundaries and safety
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Access support when normal support system may have failed (for example, other support systems may be supporting the offender)
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Therapist
Your choice of a mental health therapist/counselor is very important to your well-being. Interview a potential therapist in the same way any employer would interview a prospective employee. S/he will be working for you, as well as with you, and competent, caring therapists will not be offended by your questions, and will be honest with you. You are the customer. Do not hesitate to ask hard questions and do expect complete answers. After all, your mental health and recovery from the trauma of the crime is at stake.
Following is a list of questions to ask when choosing the appropriate therapist:
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What experience, training and education do you have pertaining to working with victims of crime?
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Have you worked with victims who have experienced the same type of crime I have experienced?
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How long have you done this kind of counseling?
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Are you licensed, or are you under the supervision of a licensed therapist? (This is required by the Crime Victim Compensation Board.)
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Do you understand the criminal justice system and do you have experience in testifying in court if necessary?
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What is my responsibility in therapy/counseling as a client?
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How long might I expect to be in counseling for these types of problems/issues?
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What treatment services do you offer (i.e., individual, group, etc.)?
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Will you accept the fee structure set by the Judicial District Crime Victim Compensation Board (in the judicial district in which I applied)?​
