Counseling and Supportive Services

 

       Our counseling and supportive services are designed to facilitate the recovery of battered women, rape victims, and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.  By the time a battered woman comes to us, her outer scars—black eyes, smashed teeth, cuts, bruises, and even broken bones—may no longer be visible.  A rape victim may make her first appointment to begin therapy years after the assault happened. 

 

       Women who come to us often do so because they are suffering from the long-term psychological consequences of abuse.  These may be harder to see—sleep disturbances, muscle tension, flashbacks, chronic pain, ulcers, headaches, extreme fatigue, and suicidal thoughts.  These symptoms interfere with the ability to function well in their day-to-day lives.  Our clients may have trouble focusing on work or feel they don’t have the energy to keep up with their children.

 

       A woman participating in individual therapy works with her therapist to design a plan to increase her safety if violence from a partner is still present—or a threat—in her life.  The next step is to determine the effectiveness and appropriateness of the methods she is using to cope with the effects of the trauma she has survived.  She learns to evaluate her choices, to increase the helpful coping skills she already possesses and, when necessary, to develop new positive coping strategies.  This increases her self-reliance and sense of self-efficacy and leads to improved emotional health and a decreased risk of future victimization.

 

       Our structured groups and other supportive services provide participants with a safe outlet to meet peers and understand that they are not alone in the recovery process.  Our clients often feel very isolated as a result of their experiences or because their partners did not allow them to have other social interactions. 

 

       We offer a variety of groups and classes including Domestic Violence Support Group, Healing Through Art, Building Healthy Relationships, and Building Effective Communication Skills.  Participants learn from other group members and the staff facilitators how to re-establish control over their lives.

 

       Our Work Readiness project helps women learn basic computer skills, put together a resume, conduct internet job searches, and practice interviewing.  Clients who participate in Work Readiness can visit our Clothes Closet stocked with “gently used” outfits suitable for a job interview.  Other supportive services include Day of Pampering, Movie Night, Reading Group, Writing Group, and Knitting Group.  These activities help women make new friendships and develop networks to provide support for the challenges they face.

           

       In 2005, we added a case manager to our staff.  She helps clients with concrete issues such as employment, housing, health concerns, and access to legal services.  Therapists are then freed to work more effectively on safety planning, emotional support, and the recovery process.    

 

       Individual therapy is provided using a sliding fee scale and is based solely on the household income to which a woman has access.  The fee slides to $5 for an hour of counseling.  All supportive services are offered free of charge.

 

       Client progress during individual counseling is measured using two clinical scales.  One is completed by the client, one by the therapist.  Our evaluation data reveals a statistically significant improvement on both scales. 

 

       The BASIS-32 Scale measures a client’s self-reported difficulties in daily living. Analysis of scores on this scale in 2005 revealed that 37% of clients reported statistically significant improvement (p<.01) between the initial assessment interview and the first therapy appointment, showing that the assessment itself is an effective beginning intervention.  In addition, 76.9% of those clients who were in therapy for 12 months reported statistically significant improvement (p<.001).  

 

       The GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) is completed by the therapist and records psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a continuum from “inability to keep self safe and healthy” to “superior functioning in a wide range of activities.”  Between the first therapy appointment and the sixth month of therapy, 86% of clients showed statistically significant improvement (p<.001).  By the twelfth month of therapy, 93% showed such improvement.

 

       We measure client satisfaction with confidential surveys, both during and after therapy.   In 2005, 95% of on-going clients reported that their therapy was helping them make changes in their lives, and 99% said they would recommend our counseling program to a friend if she needed similar help.  100% of clients who returned the post-therapy survey said they had gained more ability to make changes in their lives, 88% said they had learned something about their strengths and the things they can do well, and 100% said that the problems, feelings, or situation that bought them to therapy was much improved.

 

       In 2005, Women’s Support served 322 women through counseling and supportive services.  There were 173 clients in individual therapy.  Those are unduplicated figures.  Many women took advantage of two or more of the services we offer. 

 

Ethnicity
	Caucasian	61%
	African-American	30%
	Hispanic	3%
	Native American	2%
	Asian	2%
	Other	2%

Income
	$0 – 9,999	57%
	$10,000 – 14,999	15%
	$15,000 – 19,999	10%
	$20,000 – 29,999	8%
	$30,000 – 49,000	7%
	$50,000+	3%

 

 

A snapshot of our individual counseling clients for 2005     •93% reported issues of domestic violence in the past •50% report current domestic violence issues •45% were sexually abused as children •86% experienced some other form of childhood abuse - emotional or physical •49% have been sexually assaulted as an adult •33% are currently in an abusive relationship or an unsafe situation

             

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