Building the foundation for
playful, healthful, hopeful
living for children, families, and communities. www.centerforchildcounseling.org
our mission Building the foundation for playful, healthful, and hopeful children, families, and communities. How great is the need for our counseling services? Unfortunately, too many children need our help. But thanks to your generosity, we can provide comfort, strength, healing, and hope to more children every year.
5,500
CHILDREN will receive direct services from us in 1 YEAR
1 in5
3,800
pediatricians, nurses, teachers, caregivers, police officers, and mental-health professionals will receive training from us.
48%
of children in the U.S. have experienced at least one type of serious childhood TRAUMA
[
30 SITES
where children and families can ACCESS OUR SERVICES
IN THE NEXT YEAR
children suffer from MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES 1
50%
of all children entering foster care monthly are 6 or younger
who do we help? Abuse and neglect don’t discriminate. Neither do behavioral issues or family dysfunction. Center for Child Counseling's therapists work with children, adolescents, and families across the socioeconomic spectrum — from every neighborhood in Palm Beach County, from every type of family situation. And we address a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, anger management, parent-child attachment, and difficulty adjusting to separation or divorce.
“
Because of donors like you, my kids got help right away, and they were able to just be kids again.” –Emily
Help us help local families. DONATE TODAY! See page 10 for details.
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We help moms like Emily:
“There were many ‘last straw’ moments, but when my now exhusband struck Justin for the first time, I knew we had to get out. A therapist from Center for Child Counseling came to the shelter where we were staying and explained they would be using play therapy to help my children process the trauma they had experienced. Because of donors like you, my kids got help right away, and they were able to just be kids again.”
childhood trauma Why has childhood trauma been called 'the single greatest unaddressed public health threat facing our nation today?'*
Trauma isn’t something a child simply outgrows. Repeated exposure to abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction actually alters the way a young brain develops.
ACEs: Education about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is critical. Prevention is key. Early intervention is imperative.
If issues aren’t addressed early, they often lead to lifelong physical and mental health problems – a decades-long ripple effect felt by the individual, his or her family, and the community.
$
Adults with high, unbuffered ACEs have:
1200%
INCREASED
RISK OF SUICIDE
2X's
as likely to smoke, develop heart disease, or CANCER
And are:
7X’s
more likely to abuse ALCOHOL
1 VS. $8
CHILDHOOD VS. ADULTHOOD TREATMENT
For every $1 we spend to treat early childhood trauma, it would cost $8 to treat the effects of that trauma in adulthood.
Investing early in treatment can change the trajectory of an entire family – AND COMMUNITY. *Dr. Robert Block, former president, American Academy of Pediatrics
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how do we help? Using a trauma-informed equity lens to build stronger families and communities.
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Our goal is to create trauma-aware adults within our homes, schools, and communities who recognize and stop childhood trauma and abuse in its tracks, are part of the healing process, and ensure children grow healthy in mind and body.
our programs At the heart of the matter. Helping children develop resilience. Our education, prevention, and early intervention services are designed to support overall wellness and resilience in children, their caregivers, and their families: Education and Prevention Services: Live and online workshops, consultation, and support for parents, caregivers, and professionals. Training experiences focus on building specific skills as well as caregiver and community capacity to promote mental health, well-being, and resilience.
SNAP® Program Stop Now And Plan, known as SNAP® is a proven model for children ages 6-11. It teaches children struggling with behavior problems, and their parents, how to make better choices “in the moment.”
Fighting ACEs Promotes a Public Health Approach to preventing and healing the effects of early adversity and trauma at the individual, family, and community levels.
A Way of Being with Children Based on decades of brain and developmental research, 'A Way of Being' builds family relationships where children feel accepted and parents feel empowered.
WeLEARNPlay Provides interactive, online training on a variety of mental health topics and interventions for mental health students and professionals,
Lead the Fight Every child deserves to grow up feeling loved, nurtured, and safe. 'Lead the Fight' brings together leaders to learn strategies to combat the effects of childhood adversity and trauma on families and communities. 5
our programs How do we fight the effects of trauma and support child and family mental health? Through these programs, which are designed to support children, their families, and their caregivers: Child and Family Center: Located in West Palm Beach, the center is a safe place for children to heal and for families to resolve problems. It contains state-of-the-art play therapy rooms where children, parents, and therapists can work together. Child First The first program of its kind in Palm Beach County, Child First is a national, evidencebased, early childhood intervention that helps heal young children from the devastating impact of trauma and chronic stress. Infant Mental Health Focusing on supporting the social, emotional, and mental health of pregnant women, new mothers, and their children through an array of evidence-based, therapeutic services.
Childhood Trauma Response We step in immediately to help children and teens exposed to traumatic events or situations to provide trauma treatment and support.
School-Based Mental Health We partner with the school district to provide mental health services in elementary schools, connecting children and families with the help they need.
Pediatric Integration Partnering together to promote overall wellbeing and health, we support patients at Palm Beach Pediatrics through an array of mental health services, care coordination, and support.
Childcare and Community Social-Emotional Wellness We integrate prevention, early intervention, and counseling services into childcare center, schools, and shelters.
Care Coordination We provide Care Coordination for our clients to ensure access to the care and resources needed to support their mental health and wellbeing 6
a way of being with children
The foundation of our work. A traumainformed approach to building resilience. Reflects over twenty years of experience working with children Combining the science of brain development, child development, and actual practice to enhance positive child-caregiver relationships and resilience. Growing up has never been easy - children have always faced the challenges of making friends, adapting to new environments, and coping with the ups-and-downs of family life. Now children have the added stressors of technology, social media, exposure to global crises, and a worldwide pandemic. Our children have never been so pressured; helping them build coping skills and resilience is the best antidote we have to counteract the stress of all these influences. Fortunately, resilience is like a muscle that can be exercised and strengthened, and you can give your children powerful tools in their battle to remain calm in the face of adversity.
As a therapist and a mother, A Way of Being has become more than just a manual of resources for me. It has changed my approach in how I understand and interact with children. The information teaches you how to really appreciate a child and look at the world through their eyes, with a different lens. I am more empowered as a clinician, and am able to empower the children and families that I get to work with! Darla Mullenix, LMHC
Resilience describes the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, or significant stress. Resilience helps us “bounce back” from the set backs and disappointments of life. Since life is undoubtedly full of challenges and hardship, teaching children resilience skills is vital to their healthy development and ability to thrive.
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www.centerforchildcounseling.org/awayofbeing
healing the healers You can't pour from an “empty cup. Is it time to refill yours?
How do we support the healers caring for our children and families? Creating Happy, Healthy Healers and a Happy, Healthy Workforce Healing the Healers is designed to address the stress and challenges faced by healers in the medical, mental, and behavioral health professions. Self-care and resilience building strategies to prevent burn-out for professionals on the frontlines, supporting children and families experiencing stress, loss, and trauma.
Learn more: www.centerforchildcounseling.org/healinghealers
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What is Burnout? Burnout is a long-term reaction to occupational stress which may significantly impact the helping professions. Burnout can be caused by secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, stress, or moral injury. According to studies, it appears that up to 67% of mental health workers may be experiencing high levels of burnout, with the significant impact of the pandemic yet to be determined.
play therapy
Play Therapy is at the heart of what we do.
Play is the language of children, and toys are the words they use to convey feelings related to grief, abuse, and other traumatic events.
How does play therapy help a child heal? Using puppets or dollhouses, games or toy cars, our therapists and interns engage a child in play that explores any issues he or she is facing – whether it’s jealousy over a new sibling, sadness over the loss of a grandparent, frustration with a teacher, grief over the loss of a loved one, or fear of a family member’s visit.
“
We can talk about resolving emotions in the language in which children are fluent. Want to know more? Free telephone consultation, 561.244.9499
Through play therapy,
we pick up the pieces of a broken child and help make him or her whole again. 9
how can you help?
Here are all the ways you can help make a lasting impact in our community:
Visit our website to learn how you can support the heart of our mission.
Our community's babies and children are waiting for you to:
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3
DONATE.
VOLUNTEER.
BUY A TOY.
Make a tax-deductible contribution by visiting our website to make a tax-deductible donation.
As a nonprofit, we rely on volunteers, interns, and others to help us fulfill our mission for the lowest possible cost.
We keep our therapy rooms and toolkits wellstocked, but over time, the well-loved toys need replacing. Items on our wish list include developmental toys, musical instruments, and art supplies.
CALL: 561.244.9499.
Center for Child Counseling
8895 N. Military Trail, Suite 300C, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Center for Child Counseling
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Center for Child Counseling 8895 N. Military Trail, Suite 300C Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
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playful. healthful. hopeful.
8895 N. Military Trail, Suite 300C Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 561.244.9499 | givecfcc.org www.centerforchildcounseling.org info@centerforchildcounseling.org
Helping children heal stops the intergenerational cycle of abuse and adversity for our families and in our community.
Committed to Excellence and Transparency.
www.centerforchildcounseling.org
561.244.9499
to donate online: givecfcc.org