Family trauma therapy, also known as trauma-focused therapy, is a vital resource for trauma survivors and their families, offering a path to healing and strengthening familial bonds. This specialized form of therapy addresses the complex and often intergenerational impact of traumatic events, which commonly stems from shared ordeals like domestic violence.
What Is Included in Family Trauma Therapy Services?
The services offered as part of family trauma therapy for domestic abuse survivors are diverse and tailored to the specific needs of each family. They often include, but are not limited to:
- • Crisis intervention
- • Counseling for women and children
- • Safety planning
- • Information, referral, and legal advocacy at the individual and group levels
- • Enhanced child services
- • Support groups
- • Social services
The stages of therapy and therapy sessions themselves often involve the following processes:
- • Assessment
- • Psychoeducation
- • Stabilization
- • Trauma processing
- • Reconnection of family bonds
- • Integration of therapy lessons into daily family life
Why Family Trauma Therapy Is Important
One of the main benefits of family trauma therapy for domestic abuse survivors is the creation of a safe and supportive environment where all family members can process their experiences. This helps individuals confront and make sense of their traumatic experiences, which is essential for processing them and starting down a path of healing. In a family setting, this process allows for shared understanding and empathy, fostering a supportive network that aids in the healing process.
Therapy is particularly vital to the well-being of children and teens, who are especially vulnerable and often need additional help in understanding and recovering from what they and their mothers have been through.
Group trauma therapy can also help in rebuilding trust and improving communication within the family. Domestic abuse can severely damage trust and communication, which are fundamental to healthy family relationships. Therapy sessions provide a structured space for families to learn and practice healthy communication skills, an essential step in rebuilding these.
By offering comprehensive support, family trauma therapy helps to lessen the long-term effects of domestic abuse, promoting resilience and emotional well-being among all family members.
Help Your Family Recover From Domestic Violence-Related Trauma With CAWC
At Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC), we believe that everyone has a right to a life free of violence. Our mission to end domestic violence and help families recover from related trauma is rooted in education, service, and advocacy.
In addition to working toward broader social change, we provide empowerment-based and trauma-informed therapy through our Humboldt Park Outreach Program. This is a community-based counseling outreach program for those victims of domestic violence who either have left shelter and begun independent living or have not yet made the decision to leave their abuser.
If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence, don’t hesitate to call our 24-hour hotline at (773) 278-4566. To support our work, consider volunteering or donating.