Partners /

Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk County

 

Contact Info

Address

989 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA
02215

Contact Name

Susan Goldfarb
Sharman Nathanson

 

Services Provided

A. Child: Forensic interviews, multidisciplinary team investigations, specialized medical examinations, advocacy and counseling following exposure to abuse and/or exploitation

B. Adult: Family advocacy, support and counseling following a child's exposure to abuse and/or exploitation

C. Family: Family support and advocacy, referrals for and aid accessing additional supports and services (i.e. housing and financial assistance)

D. Other: Training and consultation for professionals; Training for community groups and organizations

Age range: 0-18 years

 

Specialized Evidence-based Mental Health Services

Child & Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI): 
Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) is a brief (5-8 sessions), evidence-based trauma intervention for children ages 7-18 and their caregivers offered by our Masters-level Family Advocate staff onsite at the CAC. CFTSI services begin shortly after a child experiences a potentially traumatic experience. The intervention was developed to help children and their caregivers better understand their reactions to what has happened, reduce a child/teen’s trauma symptoms, and enhance caregiver support and family communication. CFTSI often provides sufficient intervention for many children and families – preventing the need for additional therapy. For other children, CFTSI is an effective bridge to further services available in the community. CFTSI services are available in both English and Spanish and are provided at no cost to families.

Problematic Sexual Behavior – Cognitive Behavioral Services (PSB-CBT):
Problematic Sexual Behavior-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (PSB-CBT) is an evidence-based family treatment model for children ages 7-12 with problematic sexual behavior and their caregivers. It is one of the few evidence-based interventions addressing these concerns and importantly fills a service gap in our community. Over approximately 16 sessions, children and their caregivers address issues around safety and supervision, rules about sexual behavior and boundaries, self-control strategies and more. With effective treatment and supervision, most children with problematic sexual behaviors can live safely with other children and do not continue these behaviors into adolescence and adulthood. PSB-CBT is offered at no cost to families.