Sometimes victims of abuse or those dealing with traumatic events can find strength in numbers. By sharing their experiences with others who have been through similar ordeals or by learning in a collaborative setting, they can gain new information and develope support network free from judgment and personal entanglements.

VIP offers a number of group therapy interventions for both child abuse victims and non-offending adult caretakers of these children.The overall goal is for children and adults to emerge better prepared to deal with their recovery and with their ongoing personal relationships.

Most group therapy interventions are structured around evidence-based practices developed by the Department of Mental Health in collaboration with other industry leading professionals. Children's group therapy sessions generally follow a multi-week curriculum and are divided by age and gender. Group topics have included:

• child sexual abuse recovery

• child physical abuse recovery

• child emotional abuse recovery

Additionally,VIP provides collateral group sessions to caretakers and parents to help them support the recovery of the children in their families. These sessions are aimed at: improving the caretaker’s parenting skills; increasing communication skills of caretaking adults to be proactive for child clients; increasing caretaker’s ability to protect child clients from further family violence; and increasing healthy family relationships and enhancing safety at time of family reunification.Some groups for caretakers parallel those offered to children. Groups are coordinated through the clinical supervisory team as potential members are identified and evaluated for suitability. Topics have included:

• What is therapy?

• What to expect from your child’s therapy?

• How parents/foster parents can help the therapeutic process?