At the Children Advocacy Center of Jackson County (CACJC), the heart of our mission lies in fostering support and healing to children who have faced trauma. Central to our mission is the Therapy Department, a team uniquely equipped to address the multifaceted needs of children and their caregivers following traumatic experiences, particularly those related to abuse. 

Led by a dedicated team comprising therapists Andrew Fallman, Gaile Friend, Catherine Zern, therapy assistant Debbie Donahue, and the comforting presence of Fancy, the CAC Facility/Therapy Dog, our department is a haven for healing. We are committed to employing evidence-based, best practice treatments that have been rigorously normed and validated on abuse survivors, receiving endorsement from the National Children’s Alliance. 

Our therapeutic journey begins with an in-depth, multi-session assessment that incorporates a variety of measures and interviews with both the child and their caregivers. This critical first step allows us to gather a holistic view of the child’s current state, including their symptoms, strengths, historical background, and specific needs, setting the stage for a personalized healing strategy. 

A key element of our therapeutic approach is Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), a model developed by Judith Cohen, Anthony Mannarino, and Esther Deblinger. TF-CBT is intricately designed for trauma survivors and their families, incorporating the following essential recovery components through the PRACTICE acronym: 

• Parenting skills and psychoeducation about trauma 
• Relaxation techniques, focusing on mindfulness and calming strategies 
• Affect regulation for managing emotions 
• Cognitive coping to explore the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors 
• Trauma narrative, where children articulate their experiences within the broader context of their lives 
• In vivo mastery over real-life triggers 
• Conjoint sessions that include caregivers, emphasizing narrative sharing 

• Enhancing safety through sex education, personal safety strategies, and self-assertion skills 

Children navigate these recovery components using diverse modalities — including art, journaling, role play, sand play, movement, books, stories, and puppets — allowing their unique creativity and personality to enrich the healing process. 

Understanding the pivotal role of caregivers, our Therapy Department also offers a six-week support group for non-offending caregivers of children who have suffered sexual abuse. This program addresses a broad spectrum of critical topics, such as self-care post-trauma, adverse childhood experiences and resilience, insights into the behaviors and treatments of offenders, symptoms of child sexual abuse, managing behaviors in traumatized children, and guidance on navigating the judicial system. 

The CACJC Therapy Department is deeply committed to creating a supportive, nurturing environment that champions the recovery of every child and caregiver who enters our realm. Through our specialized therapy programs and steadfast support, we are dedicated to empowering survivors and their families on their path to healing and resilience. 

By Catherine Zern, LCSW  

Therapy Director