A child’s journey of healing after abuse.
Sam is a bright and happy nine-year-old boy. He participates in a community soccer league, performs well academically, and is socially interactive with his peers in school.
Growing up, life was not always easy for Sam. He suffered from physical abuse at the hands of his father and his mother’s former boyfriend. This abuse resulted in Sam exhibiting some dangerous behavior that would often lead to uncontrollable outbursts and extreme physical aggression toward his mother and siblings. This behavior would sometimes cause a destruction of property in their home and, ultimately, a breakdown of their family structure.
Sam needed tools to help him rebuild his life. He came to live at Child and Family Services Conners Children’s Center. At the agency’s Residential Treatment Facility, Sam received 24-hour therapeutic intervention, psychiatric care, and skills training. Counselors developed a treatment plan to address his attention deficit disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Sam received individual therapy and learned coping skills to help him choose more appropriate ways to manage and express his feelings rather than acting out. His family also received group therapy to help resolve conflict in the home. Counselors worked with Sam’s mother to create a set of problem-solving strategies that would assist her in managing her children’s behavior in order to create a safe environment in their home.
Sam is now living back at home with his family and getting along well with his brothers. He is learning to control his emotions, and everyone now feels safe. The entire family is communicating more effectively and is able to address issues as they arise. Sam is smiling a lot more as he and his family look forward to a bright future together.
* Name has been changed to ensure client confidentiality.