THE SAFE CHILDREN FOUNDATION

MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY - USING EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS, INCLUDING TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (TF-CBT) AND CHILD FAMILY TRAUMATIC STRESS INTERVENTION (CFTSI), SAFESPOT THERAPISTS WORK WITH YOUNG SURVIVORS TO BUILD COPING STRATEGIES, REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, ADDRESS NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS SUCH AS DISTORTED THINKING AND LOW SELF-ESTEEM, AND REGAIN THE ABILITY TO FORM TRUSTING, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. CAREGIVERS ARE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR CHILD'S THERAPY - THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND JOINT SESSIONS, OUR THERAPISTS HELP FAMILY MEMBERS TO COPE EFFECTIVELY WITH THEIR OWN EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND DEVELOP SKILLS THAT SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN.

FORENSIC INTERVIEW - WHEN POLICE OR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES RECEIVE A REPORT THAT A CHILD HAS BEEN SEXUALLY OR PHYSICALLY ABUSED, OR HAS WITNESSED A VIOLENT CRIME, THE CHILD IS BROUGHT TO SAFESPOT FOR A FORENSIC INTERVIEW. THE GOAL OF THE FORENSIC INTERVIEW IS TO ELICIT INFORMATION THAT EVALUATES THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD, ASSESSES THE NEED FOR MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE, CORROBORATES OR REFUTES ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT; AND PROVIDES EVIDENCE IN THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR CHILD FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS ASK QUESTIONS THAT ARE STRUCTURED TO AVOID RE-TRAUMATIZING THE CHILD OR COMPROMISING THE INVESTIGATION. INTERVIEWS ARE OBSERVED BY MEMBERS OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY CHILD ABUSE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM - INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CHILD WELFARE WORKERS - TO ENSURE THAT THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION IS COORDINATED, AND WRAP-AROUND CARE IS PROVIDED TO THE CHILD AND FAMILY.