Supportive Services

All counseling & advocacy services are CONFIDENTIAL and FREE for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes in Cambria and Somerset Counties, and their loved ones.

Crisis Counseling

Our counseling services are provided to victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes and their significant others in response to a crisis related to the victimization. Counseling services are provided by appointment only by our Victim Support Specialists who are trained in working with victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes.

Healthy Relationships Program for Children

Using an age-appropriate curriculum, this FREE program is offered for children from preschool through middle school, who would benefit from a better understanding of body safety and healthy relationships.

Medical Advocacy

When a sexual assault or domestic violence victims goes to the emergency room, hospitals in Cambria and Somerset Counties initiate a collaborative response by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and an advocate from Victim Services Inc. The SANE and advocate work together to provide support for the victim before, during, and after a forensic exam is completed. Victims also have the choice to report to law enforcement at the time of the exam or to report without speaking to law enforcement.

We can also provide a support person to be with victims at other medical appointments related to the crime and we work closely with medical professionals in both counties to provide resources and referrals for necessary services.

Support Groups

Support and psycho-educational groups are offered at our Johnstown office and at several other locations in collaboration with other agencies in the community.

Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Integrative Healing Group
Non-offending Parenting Group
Psycho-educational group to local youth

*For a list of current group offerings, please call Victim Services Inc.

Case Management

Our Housing & Resource Advocates provide case management services to individuals fleeing from domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. They work with clients to identify short and long-term goals focused on housing stability, including but not limited to:

Connecting with county assistance office
Assisting with resources for job searching
Working with local resources to help with childcare

Trauma Therapy

All trauma therapy services are CONFIDENTIAL and available for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes in Cambria and Somerset Counties, and their loved ones.

Therapy

Our therapy services are trauma-informed and include in-depth interventions provided to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes and their loved ones in response to the longer-term effects of the trauma. All therapy services are provided by appointment only by master’s level clinicians who are specially trained in working with survivors of violence.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is an evidence-based, non-drug, non-hypnosis psychotherapy procedure. The therapist guides the client in concentrating on a troubling memory or emotion while moving the eyes rapidly back and forth (by following the therapist’s fingers). This rapid eye movement, which occurs naturally during dreaming, seems to speed the client’s movement through the healing process. EMDR is used to treat troubling symptoms such as anxiety, depression, guilt, anger, and post-traumatic reactions. It can also be used to enhance emotional resources such as confidence and self-esteem. (Adapted from: Trauma Institute and Child Trauma Institute)

Check out this excellent resource to learn more about what EMDR looks like: http://www.emdrvideo.com/

How will I pay for therapy?

Therapy services are billed to medical insurance. We currently accept:

Highmark
Medicare
Medical Assistance
UPMC Commercial Insurance
Aetna
TriCare
Optum
United Healthcare

This service can also be offered at NO COST to clients who do not have insurance or clients who wish to not have their insurance billed.

Long-Term Effects of Trauma

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression
Anxiety
Flashbacks
Attachment and Relationship Problems
Difficulty Identifying, Expressing, and Managing Emotions
Chronic / Recurring Physical Conditions
Increase in Risk Taking Behaviors
Trouble Sleeping
Nightmares

Supportive Services

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