Each child and non-offending family member/guardian is seen individually for intake and assessment. The initial assessment is spent gathering the history of the abuse, the history of the individual, and learning the specifics of the sexual trauma.
This assessment is the window to treatment at Bethesda. Along with the therapeutic needs, it is also a time to build trust and rapport with each client. Initially, even talking about the abuse is very painful and this initial assessment gives the intake therapist an opportunity to build rapport needed for the future healing of parent and child.
After the assessment, each client, parent and child, is clinically staffed. The child and parent are then placed in the appropriate group or individual program to begin therapeutic treatment. Each placement is expected to continue for a minimum of twelve weeks to six months.
For more information about the Assessment Program, please call 405.364.0333.