At Lena Pope, we believe in prevention and early intervention services that give children and families the skills they need to work through challenges.
Our array of programs for children and families takes a multifaceted approach to preventing child abuse. In the short-term, our counseling services provide resources for families when problems arise in the home. And in cases where abuse or neglect has already occurred, our therapists work with children to help them heal from the trauma they have experienced. Every day our caring therapists work with clients to help them address trauma from their past, learn healthy coping mechanisms, and break generational cycles.
Parenting is full of challenges, and many parents didn’t have healthy or positive parenting role models. We are here to help families build on their strengths to improve relationships, family functioning, and communication. Equipping families with the tools and resources they need to parent in a positive, healthy way is key to preventing child abuse.
We use therapy approaches including play therapy, Trust Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) because these approaches are proven to work effectively with individuals who have adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Of the clients we saw last year, 43% of our clients under 18 reported 4 or more ACE’s, and 42% of clients over 18 reported 4 or more ACE’s.
We also invest in children earlier and teach them important skills, like recognizing and naming their emotions, how to navigate difficult situations, and how to positively deal with obstacles. We believe social emotional development is critical for young kids and teens. Ultimately if these skills are carried into the teenage years and beyond, kids are set up to make better choices and eventually grow into healthy, happy adults and parents. Healthy coping skills, emotional regulation, and stress management are all critical skills parents need. We want to shape the next generation of parents by equipping children with these skills now.
Child abuse is an unfortunate and painful reality in our community. At Lena Pope, we will continue to invest in preventing child abuse and being the community resource families can turn to for help. It takes bravery to ask for help in being a better parent. For those families who show that bravery, we are here to meet you with compassion. Reach out today to Lena Pope 817-255-2652 or fill out a contact form