Therapy Program

Please call 330-374-0740 and ask to speak with the Therapy Services Manager for an appointment. You can also request that a referral is sent to our therapy department when speaking with someone on the RCC 330-434-7273 or BWS 24/7 hotline at 330-434-1111.

Individual Therapy for Survivors

The Hope & Healing offers free therapy services to survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking and human trafficking over the course of their lifetime. We serve survivors 12 years and older and of all gender identities, races, religions, and sexual orientations in a therapeutic, confidential and trauma-informed environment. Our therapists are trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities including EMDR, CBT, TF-CBT, and Motivational Interviewing in order to promote healing and recovery after trauma.

Therapy is free and confidential for any community member or resident of the shelter.

Youth Therapy Services

Therapy services are available for children and adolescents ages 5-17. Children residing at BWS and children from the community who have experiences of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking are eligible for Youth Therapy Services. Our Youth Therapist has advanced training in trauma-informed therapy techniques, such as EMDR therapy, Trauma Focused-CBT, and Structured Sensory Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Parents (SITCAP).

Family Therapy

Free family therapy is offered to family members during or in the aftermath of their loved one’s experience with intimate partner violence or sexual violence. This service can be offered in conjunction with individual therapy. We understand that trauma often impacts the entire family and our therapists are available to support the whole family in their healing process.

Therapy for Co-Survivors

Additionally, we offer up to 5 therapy sessions to co-survivors (family members, partners, and friends) in order to provide support during or in the aftermath of their loved one’s experience with sexual violence and/or intimate partner violence. These sessions will include psychoeducation on trauma, sexual violence and IPV, as well as information on ways to support the survivor and basic coping strategies.

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based form of therapy that is proven to be effective in reducing trauma-related symptoms. EMDR therapy enables people to access parts of the brain that can often heal naturally from emotional pain, in the same way, the body does with physical wounds. Much of this natural coping mechanism occurs during sleep, particularly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. EMDR therapy utilizes side-to-side movements that trigger similar mechanisms that occur during REM sleep while working with a traumatic memory in a session with a therapist. The side-to-side movement helps the brain process the memory naturally, allowing the client to process traumatic events in a way that is natural to them.

Want to learn more?
EMDR Institute, Inc.
EMDR International Association