What is your role at DCAC?
In my role as a therapist at DCAC, I work with children and their non-offending family members to assess, diagnose, and, most importantly, treat symptoms of trauma. Through trauma therapy, I am able to help families learn skills and strategies to help them learn, cope with, and process their emotions and memories associated with their traumatic experiences.
A day in my life for me is walking into work and greeting all my coworkers. Once I am situated in my office, I review my clients for the day and prepare any materials and session content needed for their individualized treatment. Sometimes, my day can also include things like attending case consultation meetings, trainings, staff meetings, completing documentation, or clinical supervision to ensure I’m doing the best work for my clients and their families.
It is very common for our clients to experience heavy emotions and experience them intensely. When this occurs, we ensure their safety by conducting crisis sessions. During crisis sessions, I work together with clients to create or adjust their safety plans – reviewing coping skills, safe people, safe places, triggers, and much more.
How does the work you do play into the MDT team at DCAC?
Therapy is just one piece of our DCAC MDT puzzle. What I love most about our agency is the ability to work with our partners to get the best possible outcome for our clients. Therapy contributes to our MDT in various ways. One example is attending regular broker meetings with the Family Advocate Team. During these meetings, therapists and family advocates collaborate on assessing a client’s needs and what additional support can be provided that considers their individualized treatment needs. Another way the Therapy Team works within the MDT is through triage and gathering more information for our clients with our partners in CPS and DPD.
What is your favorite part about your job?
With all the great things we do at DCAC, I would have to say my favorite part about my job is seeing and empowering my clients. I love working with children and their families and being able to see them weekly. Showing up for them is rewarding in itself. Most importantly, I am always in awe when I get to walk beside them through their therapy journey and see them transition into their own sense of healing, strength, and hope.
Why is Child Abuse Prevention Month important?
Child Abuse Prevention Month is important because all children deserve to feel and be safe. This month is a time for us to come together to increase dialogue on the importance of the safety and well-being of children. Raising awareness for DCAC’s mission allows our families and community to know that we can all take action to make a difference in the lives of children across the country. Most importantly, it also helps survivors know that they are not alone.
To learn more about DCAC’s Therapy Team and the services they provide, visit https://dcac.org/what-we-do/therapy/.
