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Who is the Staff Counselor?
A professional counselor has a masters degree and has completed a supervised internship. Counselors are required to pass a licensure examination and obtain continuing education in order to maintain licensure. Counselors are bound by a code of ethics which protects the confidentiality of their clients. Professional counselors apply knowledge of mental health, psychology and human development to assist clients in addressing issues or concerns that are causing problems in clients’ lives.
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The Role of the Staff Counselor
Cross Timbers Family Services is a victims service agency and the majority of clients have suffered from family violence, sexual assault and child abuse. These traumatic experiences leave deep emotional wounds which can contribute to many problems. The Staff Counselor has an understanding of the long range effects of crime on its victims, and can help clients to rebuild their lives by providing emotional support, education, strategies and tools for surviving the crisis. Crisis intervention, long and short term counseling, support groups and education are some of the duties of the Staff Counselor.
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What Services Does the Staff Counselor Provide?
- Crisis intervention to crime victims to reduce stress and provide immediate, short-term support to reduce the impact of the crisis, and to assist the client in meeting her/his physical, medical, legal and/or psychological needs
- Individual counseling using therapeutic methods of treatment and support
- Support groups related to violent crime covering educational material or issues brought up by the group
- Supervision of graduate student counseling interns to provide additional counseling services to clients
- Information and referral to services provided by CTFS or other agencies available in the community
- Criminal justice support to ensure that the client has been prepared for the court process and receives court accompaniment as needed
- Outreach counseling on an as needed basis in adjacent counties
- Victim advocacy on behalf of clients to assist victims in securing rights, remedies and services from other agencies
- Develops and facilitates community presentations regarding agency services, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and victim issues
- Represents the agency in relationships with public agencies such as law enforcement, courts and public works, and other community service agencies
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