Specialized Counseling

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a treatment approach that has been proved successful with children and adolescents (ages 3 to 18) who are experiencing significant emotional and behavioral difficulties related to a single or multiple traumatic life events. Children and parents learn new skills to help process thoughts and feelings related to traumatic life events; manage and resolve distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to traumatic life events; and enhance safety, growth, parenting skills, and family communication.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an innovative clinical treatment that was developed to deal directly with the effects of trauma. Since 1988, EMDR has helped over two million trauma survivors. EMDR has been listed as an effective treatment by the American Psychiatric Association, Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and numerous international agencies. EMDR has an impact on intrusive imagery (such as nightmares and flashbacks), numbing, and hyperarousal symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as on associated grief and depression. Fourteen published, controlled studies support the efficacy of EMDR, making it one of the most thoroughly researched methods ever used in the treatment of trauma. Most people treated for single trauma find relief from post-trauma emotional symptoms within three or four sessions of EMDR.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a short-term, specialized, evidenced-based behavioral management program designed for young children (typically between the ages of 2-years-old and 7-years-old) experiencing behavioral and/or emotional difficulties and their families. PCIT works with child and caregiver together to improve overall behavior and to reduce parenting stress. Thanks to a partnership between FCS, Harford County Infants and Toddler’s Program, and the Harford County Department of Social Services, two of FCS’ therapists were trained and are the only therapists in Harford County providing this service.

For more information call:
Anne Arundel County: 410-571-8341
Baltimore City: 410-366-1980 / 800-899-4601
Baltimore County: 410-281-1334
Carroll County: 410-876-1233
Harford County: 410-803-9617
Howard County: 410-997-3557

Want to help?

$100 can provide a counseling session for a child who was sexually abused.

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Meet Barbara

Barbara R. Roth, LCSW-C has been working with children and their families since 1986.  Barbara’s expertise is in trauma-focused treatment with children who have experienced some kind of child maltreatment.  Barbara has worked for Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland for almost 20 years.  She began her work as a clinician providing treatment in their Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Treatment Services programs.  In 2005, Barbara became the Program Coordinator of the Child Abuse Treatment Services program in Baltimore City and West Baltimore County in order to again focus on children with a history of trauma.  Barbara sees children ages 3 through 18.  She has a particular interest in pre-school and early elementary school children.

“I enjoy being able to provide a safe and stable therapeutic relationship for a child and their family after the crisis of a disclosure of abuse.  It is rewarding to see the family through the process of disclosure, investigation, and possibly court while dealing with the complicated reactions to trauma.  As a clinician, I focus on a child and family’s strength and help them stabilize their lives while building their sense of competence and resilience which help them through the difficult stages of recovery.  I could not have done this work for the last 25 years without believing that healing from complex trauma is possible.”

Barbara’s clients are seen in a toy-filled play room that includes a sand box, doll house, games, and puppets.  She has art supplies available for children who are not ready to talk and would rather draw pictures of their feelings.  She makes use of “therapy dog”, a large, plush, soft chocolate Labrador puppet to help put children at ease.  Another favorite play therapy toy is the “beach-ball”.   The client can use the beach-ball in order to kick and punch and throw and reclaim their strength to be assertive with their body again after trauma.