Mental Health Services

A partnership between behavioral and mental health services and the Essex CAC reduces the impact of abuse and trauma on families by making resources and services accessible, sensitive, effective and coordinated.

Mental Health services address the immediate and long-term effects of child abuse-related trauma. "Damaged goods syndrome", sexually-reactive behaviors, guilt or shame, fear or anxiety, depression or low self-esteem, inability to trust, and/or acting-out behaviors are some of the most common yet complex responses children experience as they move through the healing process.

If the perpetrator of the abuse is a family member or is known by the family, the child often feels responsible for the chaos brought about by a disclosure of abuse. Re-establishing a sense of safety and control marks the early stages of therapy. Also addressed is the stress that the family may experience in many areas of their life following a child's disclosure of abuse.

The course of therapy for the child victim varies depending on the resilience of the child and the resources of the family. Following an initial phase of treatment, children often need short-term phases of therapy as they pass through developmental stages. Educating parents to recognize the symptoms and behaviors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder helps them seek additional mental health services when their child experiences difficulty passing through a new emotional, social and/or physical stage of development. Developmental issues are difficult for the average child. Developmental issues can present an even greater degree of stress and confusion to the abused child.