First let me say that I am so sorry you have discovered that your child might be having adult like sexual behavior, for many caregivers this is devastating. A typical response is to either minimize the behaviors with the belief, “its no big deal, they won’t remember this” or go the other extreme and worry […]
add more description keep these 3 things in mind at all times parenting balance act
click on this link to download or print this information, the basics of treating Child Sexual Abuse, always good to remember the basics. 10 command treat CSA
Hello fellow therapists, Ya know when a person says “I don’t know” to almost every question? Typically, the office rule is that “I don’t know” is not allowed in therapy so clients have the opportunity to share their feelings and do “the work”. But what are they supposed to say instead? Sometimes people, especially kids, […]
Diagrams of how family is structured. i’ll add more info later CLICK HERE: family structure worksheet
FOR CONTROLLING URGES AND MAKING WISE CHOICES Here is a resource that therapists can use to help kids manage their urges so they do not make UNWISE choices. I have specifically chosen NOT to use the words “unhealthy”, “poor”, “wrong” or “negative” to describe the option of making a choice that is regrettable. I have […]
When things are so frustrating, you barely know what to do, this card may help. Please put something in each square of the card, then you will have pre-planned ways to help yourself; ways to give yourself some comfort when life really gets rough. The six parts of the card are…………. Thing: This can be […]
When there is sexual abuse, either from an adult or another youth, there must be some level of coercion. Most situations of sexual abuse involve coercion, which is emotional ways to force someone to do something, usually tricks and threats. A young child may consent to sexual behaviors because they are not aware of what […]
So, if you survived Psychology 101 in high school or college, you probably know about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The idea that each person has biological and psychological needs that must be met in order to achieve “actualization”. The basic rule is that the lower needs have to be met BEFORE it is even possible […]
Dear Caregiver: This letter will explain the process of developing a “Therapeutic Supervision Plan” for your family and your child who has concerning sexual behavior. You have probably just begun treatment and might still be in shock over the discovery that your child or teen has engaged in sexual behavior. Until all the dynamics surrounding […]
The idea of restorative justice and restitution has long been a part of probation protocols or requirements for youth who have illegal sexual behavior. Almost all programs ask a youth to write clarification/apology letters to caregivers or the child they abused. When working with young people who have sexually harmed, this process can be even […]
When very young children are processing their sexual abuse in treatment, it may be very difficult for them to figure out their thoughts and feelings about the person who hurt them. One technique is to have them complete a worksheet that can be sent or given to the person who is responsible for the sexual […]
Moral development is a tricky thing, sometimes kids seem really empathetic and want to help others, and sometimes they are so selfish you wonder if they are human. Most moral and ethical decisions are based on a person’s conscience, which grows and develops over time. For some people, it doesn’t really develop until adulthood, and […]
Letter of Blessing for Child Who Has Been Sexually Abused By Sheryl Overby, MS LIMHP Woodhaven Counseling 402-592-0328 All children seek verbal or non-verbal feedback from the adults in their life to understand what has happened to them. A caregiver can provide encouragement, hope and a vision of a positive […]
When treating sexual abuse, it’s important to remember two things or have two memories of the event. First, remember that it was a very bad thing and the traumatic response in your body is real and needs to be honored. But it doesn’t stop there, the sexual abuse has also given you opportunities. In this […]
Each family and situation is unique and The Privacy Rules can be tailored to suit your individual needs. Please consider the development, emotional maturity and past behavior of the child. I recommend that the child or family make their own poster by choosing which cards to use and what the title should be. Then they can […]
The Bridge of Reparation was a concept I learned from Joann Schladale, MS LMFT to help youth get over their shame. Some of the youth that I have worked with have almost given themselves PTSD from the shame of their own behavior. They are not traumatized in the same way as someone who is physically […]
All children seek the verbal or non-verbal feedback from the adults in their life to understand themselves. A caregiver can provide encouragement, hope and a vision of a positive future for youth with Problematic Sexual Behavior. I believe that putting these thoughts in writing makes it more sincere to the child and enables the youth […]
Children with a history of sexual abuse will benefit from their caregivers being aware of future stuck points. Sometimes, the issues will resurface as children grow and develop both mentally, emotionally and physically. If that happens, even if your child is grown and out of the house, please talk to your child and assess if […]
After a child has been sexually abused, they can never regain their innocence. This is one of the main reasons caregivers grieve for their children. This graph is meant to help others understand the difference between ideal development of a child and the detour that children are forced to take when they are abused. Hopefully, […]