THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF CARE
The Center offers therapy services not only to victims of child abuse and neglect, but also their non-offending family members. When dealing with the aftermath of abuse, many caregivers focus their energy on taking care of the child, rather than themselves. We know that when abuse happens, the entire family is affected.
When Jenni's abuse occurred, it knocked the wind out of her grandparents. They would describe themselves as a strong couple, but the sexual abuse of Jenni was enough to throw their life out of balance. They spent a lot of time at the beginning of therapy voicing their anger. While their granddaughter was in counseling for her abuse, they were able to process their confusing feelings and discover ways to incorporate self-care into their lives. Often, caregivers that seek counseling do not stay very long. They end up focusing on their kid's needs. However, Jenni's grandparents did not give up. They continued to show up and work toward a healthier way of life. Months later they are able to say they have hope and are motivated to continue working toward a healthier family. It is always encouraging to see parents or grandparents decide to work on themselves which in turn helps the victim in their healing process.
