The
Shepherd Program
The Shepherd Program was established in 1985
to provide outpatient individual and group counseling for
children and adolescents who are victims of sexual abuse or have
sexual behavior problems. It is the largest and most
comprehensive treatment program of its kind in Rhode Island. The
Shepherd Program employs a clinical team with expertise in
sexual abuse assessment and treatment. The staff is
dedicated to helping families heal and stop the cycle of abuse. The
Shepherd Program also provides individual and
group services to adults. Referrals come from individuals
seeking treatment, DCYF, physicians, families and other
treatment providers.
Philosophy of
Service
We are a collaborative mental health and
trauma team that believes all people regardless of socioeconomic
status, race, or sexual orientation deserve specialized
treatment of the highest quality. We provide state-of-the-art,
client-centered, strengths-based interventions that help our
clients heal from the circumstances that brought them to us.
The Shepherd Program provides the following
services: sexual abuse assessments, juvenile sexual offender
assessments, individual, group and family therapy,
training and consultation.
Treatment
Modalities
The Shepherd Program utilizes a variety of
treatment modalities that include: Expressive Therapy, Play
Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Modified Dialectical
Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and
Reprocessing (EMDR), and sensory interventions and use of sand
tray.
Victims of Crime
Act (VOCA Services)
Through funds from the Victims of Crime Act
(VOCA), the Shepherd Program provides a clinical team to work
with families who have been impacted by sexual abuse. VOCA
provides intensive in-home services for families at risk of
having the child removed from their home environment. The team's guidance,
instruction, and support assist in maintaining the child victim
safely in the home. Services include: Counseling, case
coordination, behavior support, sexual abuse education,
and assistance with filing victim's compensation claims.
Enhanced Outpatient
Services (EOS)
This community-based program provides an
array of services to help transition a child from placement to a
secure home environment, or as a preventative measure, to reduce
the risk of hospitalization. Services are provided by
masters-level clinicians and case managers. Services
include: individual, family and group
treatment, coordination of care, assistance with attending
appointments, and ensuring that families are deriving the
benefits of community supports.
Nationally
Recognized Training - A Model Approach to Educating
Non-Offending Parents
While most sexual abuse treatment focuses on
the survivor, the caregivers also have special needs. The
caregivers of sexually abused children need education regarding
impact issues, safety and information regarding sex offenders.
This workshop utilizes the Shepherd Program's 12 week
Non-Offending Parent Education Curriculum to demonstrate
strategies that focus on the caregivers' needs. Trainers teach
practical strategies to educate non-offending parents including
relative caregivers, foster parents, families formed through
adoption and birth parents. Trainings are offered throughout the
year. Please contact the Shepherd Program if you are
interested in scheduling this or another training.
We are available to train on a variety of
topics related to sexual abuse, juvenile offending and other
trauma. We would be happy to customize a training to meet
your needs.
Shepherd Program's Non-Offending Parent Education Manual
Outlines
the rationale, key concepts and procedures for each session of
the 12 week Non-Offending Parent Education group.
More
