If you are interested in getting counselling for your child at this service we offer a program that provides counselling to children and young people and also offers support to mothers/ carers.
Who & What?
IWCADV offer a Family Counselling Program. The purpose of this program is to respond to children and young people’s experiences of witnessing or experiencing domestic and family violence, and the trauma resulting from this. IWCADV uses an integrated approach by engaging with both the child or young person and their mother or caregiver.
Why?
Research and practice have shown us that engaging solely with a child has its limitations. We believe that it is vital to provide support to both child and mother (or carer). As a result this has created a greater understanding and awareness of the impacts domestic and family violence has on children, young people and caregivers themselves.
We want the experience of counselling to be a pleasant one. Our counselling with children is play based and client led. Counselling is an opportunity for women, children and young people to discuss and explore their experiences when they are ready and in their own terms.
Where & How?
In order for a child or young person to be eligible for counselling, they need to be between the ages of 5 and 17 years of age. IWCADV can also only see children that are no longer living with the perpetrator of abuse, the reason for this is that it can be unsafe for children to engage in counselling and it can also be confusing for them when the abuse is still continuing. We do however understand that children may continue to have contact with the perpetrator of abuse and will still be able to engage with the service if both the mother/caregiver and counsellor feel it is safe.
Women need to contact IWCADV and request counselling for their children. After an initial over-the-phone conversation, the service worker will provide women with a date and time for an intake appointment. At the intake appointment, background information is gathered regarding the child/young person and their experience of domestic/family violence. At this appointment women will have the opportunity to meet one of the counsellors involved and ask any questions or clarify things in relation to the program. There are limited counselling spaces outside school hours, every effort will be made to fit everyone at their preferred time however this at times may not be possible and we will appreciate your understanding.
If you have any questions or would like any clarification regarding this program please do not hesitate to contact us on 3816 3000.
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