The staff at Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center excels in providing specialized, trauma-focused mental health services on-site. Our mental health services cater to clients who are ages 3 to 18 years old and are provided at no cost to the family. Our center offers psychoeducation, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, crisis intervention, and group therapy services. In addition to our mental health services for children, we offer a Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group on a quarterly basis. This group offers support for parents whose children have experienced sexual abuse through a psychoeducational, closed group format. Our mental health providers complete a full trauma-informed assessment and match mental health clients with appropriate services on-site or through an appropriate referral.
In addition, the DCAC provides the following services:
- Crisis Counseling Services
- Trauma-specific assessment including full trauma and biopsychosocial history
- Family / caregiver engagement through individual and group parent / caregiver support and education
- Individualized treatment plan that is periodically assessed
- Individualized evidence-informed treatment appropriate for children and families informed by comprehensive assessment as well as MDT sharing of information and recommendations.
- Clinical supervision provided by a licensed clinician (individual and group) as well as ongoing peer consultation and review
- Referral to other community services as needed
MENTAL HEALTH FAQs
Click on a question below for the answer.
If you need more information, please contact us.
What is trauma?
Trauma is any experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing. Traumatic events don’t always yield the same reactions in everyone. Some individuals might recover quickly, while others may feel the impact of the incident for months or years to come. Traumatic events might cause a person to fear for their personal safety, health, or life as well that of others. Some common types of trauma are:
- Physical, psychological, or sexual abuse
- Physical or emotional neglect
- Witness to domestic violence
- Loss of a significant loved one
- Natural or man-made disaster (e.g. flood, fire, or mass shooting)
- Serious accident, injury, or illness
What are common reactions to trauma?
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Each individual reacts differently to trauma due to many factors, including the severity of the incident, age, and personal history. Possible symptoms or effects of trauma include:
- Difficulty thinking or talking about the event
- Feelings of shame or guilt
- Sleep disturbances (trouble falling or staying asleep, sleeping too much)
- Increased fear in both safe and unsafe situations
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased performance at school or work
- Mood swings, irritability, angry outbursts
- Avoiding people or things that trigger memories of the traumatic event
Often responses to trauma can be confused or attributed to behavior problems or to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It’s important to consider that children exhibiting these symptoms may be reacting to a traumatic event and may need help processing the related thoughts and feelings. Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center offers therapeutic support for families in crisis and can help to identify if behavioral concerns are in relation to trauma.
What if my child isn’t experiencing trauma symptoms?
If your child doesn’t show symptoms or doesn’t wish to begin therapy, we will gladly provide recommendations for how you can support them. We are available at any time you need us, even if it is months or years after the incident has passed.
