Services

Crime Victim Services

The awareness of the emotional, physical and financial needs of victims of violent crime led to the development of these services in 1994. Many victims do not have knowledge of, or access to, resources needed for their recovery from the trauma of a crime. Victims are usually overwhelmed and confused by the judicial system and may be afraid to cooperate by pressing charges or testifying in court.

CVS provides these victims with services including:

• Response to the crime scene if requested
• Assistance filing for Crime Victims' Compensation through the Texas Attorney General's Office
• Crisis and long term counseling
• Information and referral resources in serving area
• Accompaniment for legal proceedings

Crime Victim Services works collaboratively with other local victim service organizations to provide smooth access to community resources. Services provided to victims and their families are free of charge.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Family Counseling Service works with individual companies to design an EAP benefit package for their particular need.

Options include:

• Individual, couple and family therapy
• Information and referral
• Consultation and training for supervisors
• Training and education services
• Critical incident debriefing/trauma resolution

FAMILY FORWARD~MIDDLE WAY EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The Middle Way Education Program teaches ways families can get along better, follow family rules with less fighting and resistance and create a loving family relationship. The Middle Way Parent Education Program offers ten weeks of guided learning followed by four weeks of educational support groups which touch on the following topics:

• Parenting skills
• Effective discipline
• Communication
• Consequences
• Behavior management

Family Forward is directed by Bell Grace, MS, LPC and Kay Dunlop at The First Baptist Church (888-8228).

SURVIVORS AFTER SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP

This support group meets the first Monday of every month from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Family Counseling Service. It provides support and education to indivduals and families who have experienced the loss of a loved one through suicide.

PARENTING CLASSES

Parenting classes helps improve communication skills between families. Topics covered include:

• Parental coping skills
• Child mangagement
• Parental child care
• Relationship building

Our Parenting Classes are taught by licensed professionals.

TRANSPARENTING SEMINAR

Divorcing parents attend this four hour seminar which is mandated by the district courts. Topics discussed include:

• What happens to divorcing families
• Typical reactions of children, understanding the childs perspective
• Skills that help children cope with divorce
• Parenting pitfalls to avoid

The TransParenting Seminar is taught by licensed professionals.

SENIOR CITIZENS SERVICES

Senior Sharing Groups are provided at local senior community centers and are free of charge to the participants. In these groups people receive information and discuss issues that affect their lives.

Group topics include:

• Loneliness
• Death of a spouse or child
• Stress management
• Isolation or depression
• Maintaining independence
• Alzheimer's issues
• Retirement and transition

Senior Citizen Services are directed by Margaret Hutchins, MS.

SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT GROUPS

Family Counseling Service offers both juvenile and adult sex offender treatment groups. The goals for the offenders group are to break through denial, take responsibility, and develop empathy for their victims and others. Topics covered in the group include:

• Admitting in detail their offense
• Empathy building
• Anger management
• Developing life skills
• Identifying triggers
• Learning abuse cycle
• Developing a Relapse Prevention Plan

The juvenile sex offender group therapist is Pamela Parsons LCSW, LMFT, LSOTP. The adult offender group therapist is Mark Wolbrink MS, LPC, LMFT, LSOTP.

For more information regarding our services and groups please contact our office at 361-852-9665.