We applaud and support your interest, efforts and strength in taking
this step towards recovering from the family violence, sexual assault or the
abuse that you have experienced. This information is intended to let you
know what to expect from our agency. To schedule counseling services, please
call the Counseling Center at 206-2100.
Crisis Intervention:
A 24-hour crisis telephone line is operated by professional staff, trained
interns and volunteers 365 days-a-year. This crisis service will provide
lifesaving information, referrals, and emotional support to help victims escape
abuse.
Emergency Walk-in Services:
Walk-in services are provided as
needed and will include crisis counseling for victims who come directly to
the counseling center. Other emergency assistance may include photographing
injuries, arranging safe shelter and providing assistance with
transportation to a safe location.
Crisis Counseling
Services for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
The Family
Sunshine Center provides counseling services for victims of domestic violence
and their children. These services are provided, both while the family is in
crisis, and later, as they adjust to a new lifestyle. This service is provided
through individual and group sessions.
Length of service:
Our crisis counseling service is designed to meet your immediate
needs as a recent victim of intimate partner violence. Your counselor will work
with you to achieve specific goals.Goals:
These
are the topics that will be the focus of the crisis counseling:
- Safety:
You and your children are in a safe, secure place out of danger or threat of
physical harm.
- Stability: A support system is in place or in process; legal avenues
have been explored and legal steps initiated if appropriate; and basic needs are
met—food, clothing, shelter.
- Education: The dynamics of family violence have been discussed
in general and specifically about your family.
Crisis counseling
is provided to victims of spouse abuse for up to 6 sessions.
Assessment services
are provided to victims of child abuse for up to 8 weeks.
Medium-term individual
counseling is provided to victims of family violence for up to 26
sessions.All time frames can be reduced or extended based on individual case
circumstances.
Counseling Services for Sexual
Assault: Victims of sexual
assault can receive individual counseling from Family Sunshine Center for up
to 26 sessions (or longer if needed). Individual and group counseling are
offered to provide healing, hope and support for victims of sexual assault.
Services are available to victims who were assaulted very recently or in the
distant past. Counseling for sexual assault addresses the unique and
sensitive needs of the victim in a safe and supportive atmosphere.
Children’s
Counseling Services: Counseling Services for children are
provided through individual and group sessions. Children’s therapy is provided
through play therapy, art therapy and other techniques that are age-appropriate
for the child.
Advocacy/Consultation Services: These services will be provided
to ensure that victims have access to all the services they need to escape
victimization and work toward recovery. This will include court-related
services such as assistance in signing warrants and accompanying victims to
court. Other advocacy services will include help in obtaining financial
assistance and victim’s compensation.Rural Counseling
Services: Crisis counseling will be provided to victims of spouse
abuse for up to 6 sessions. Rural counseling services are available in Autauga,
Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Elmore and Lowndes counties.
Court Advocacy
Services: Court-related services such as assistance in signing
warrants, court notification, safety planning and support during court will be
provided in Municipal and District court.
Other Services: Additional
counseling is available at this agency. We provide individual and group
counseling for continued education and support.
Family Sunshine Center Support GroupsS.O.A.R.
(Survivors of Abusive Relationships)
meets weekly for eight week intervals on
Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Family Sunshine Center. Call the crisis
line at 334-263-0218 to enroll. Group provides support for women who find
themselves in an abusive relationship.
S.A.G.E.
(Survivors of Abuse Gaining Empowerment) meets
bi-weekly on Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Family Sunshine Center.
Call the Crisis line at 334-263-0218 for information and prerequisite
screening. Group provides therapeutic support for women who have left an
abusive relationship or are leaving an abusive relationship and are in need
of recovery.Support group for
survivors of Sexual Assault is
available. The group meets weekly at an off-site location. The group is
facilitated by a trained professional and is dedicated to healing and
growth. Call the Crisis line at 334-263-0218 for information and screening.
Support Group for Mothers of Sexually
Abused Children meets
bi-weekly 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Family Sunshine Center. Call the Crisis
line at 334-263-0218 for information and prerequisite screening. Group
provides support and healing for mothers, the often forgotten victims of
family sexual abuse.
