Children's Counseling

Any Time a Mother is Abused, Her Children Are Also Affected.

• When a mother is abused, her children see it, hear it, sense it.

• When a mother is abused, her children feel confusion, stress, fear.

• When a mother is abused, her children may feel guilty that they can't protect her, or that they are the cause of the anger.

• If she leaves, they may feel responsible for the family breakup.

• When a mother is abused, her children (particularly sons) are more likely to grow up to repeat the destructive patterns they saw in their early lives.

• When a mother is abused, her children may also be physically abused, or they may be neglected while the mother attempts to deal with her own trauma.

Life Span's Programs

Every child has different EMOTIONAL REACTIONS to domestic violence. Life Span offers individual and group counseling for children ages 4 to 10 whose mothers are battered. An experienced Children's Program Coordinator and trained volunteers help children develop non-violent self expression and conflict resolution skills in order to interrupt the inter-generational cycle of violence and victimization.

We also offer a special MOTHER'S GROUP.  Mothers are able to meet with a women's counselor while their children are meeting with their own counselor.