Trauma Informed Treatment

Germaine Lawrence has made the treatment of traumatized adolescent girls the primary focus of its work for over twenty years. We serve girls who have experienced significant trauma, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, severe neglect and serious emotional and psychological abuse.

Our programs have developed expertise and specializations working with the behavioral disorders associated with traumatic abuse, including PTSD, substance abuse, running away, sexual offending, and fire setting. Trauma informed treatment is incorporated into all aspects of our clinical work, milieu therapy and education programs.

Our trauma informed services take into account the impact of trauma, interpersonal dynamics as a result, and paths to recovery and incorporate this knowledge into every aspect of service delivery. Our services:

• Convey an understanding of trauma throughout the program;
• Place a priority on the girl’s safety;
• Focus on empowerment and giving girls’ choices;
• Emphasize strengths and skill building to promote increased self-esteem;
• Teach strategies to manage painful emotions safely;
• Train staff to intervene to prevent re-trauma and avoid future exploitation;
• Include survivors as staff and/or mentors in daily programming
  

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