Mental Health Program
As a result of the trauma of sexual abuse, children and their families often experience changes in their functioning. All referrals are directed through the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center Advocacy from the Family advocates, case workers, doctors, and or detectives refer these families to the Mental Health Department to help them improve their wellbeing through counseling. Sexually abused children ages 0-17 and their families then receive trauma focused, evidence-based psychotherapy services, which typically take the form of one-hour sessions that occur weekly. We also offer services to Spanish Speaking Families.
Counseling within The Mental Health Department may be provided through one or more of the following specialized programs/services:
Art Therapy Program:
The Art Therapy Program is appropriate for children who may have difficulty expressing themselves verbally, due to age or degree of trauma, developmental level, and/or due to developmental delays. This is a unique and specialized field of mental health that helps children heal through non-verbal means using the child’s creativity. It integrates the use of the visual arts, music, and writing with therapy.
Services, Treatment, and Options Program (STOP):
This program provides assessments for children 12 years old and younger who have demonstrated sexual behavior problems. This provides recommendations for appropriate treatment and services.
Crisis Program:
The impact of the trauma can result in children or families requiring immediate mental health intervention. Children and or families are referred for a risk assessment when someone’s safety is at risk. An assessment is completed and recommendations are made. Children and/or family members may be referred to outpatient therapy or may be hospitalized when needed. Families are provided with support until they are linked with the services that are needed.
Training Program:
The CCAC is committed in providing the best treatment for survivors of sexual abuse and as a result the mental health department is committed to the training of future clinicians. Graduate students who are pursuing careers in social work, psychology and or art therapy are provided with supervision and training in their respective fields by staff in the Mental Health Department. Interns and externs participate in clinical trainings, and obtain individual, peer and group supervision by a licensed clinician. If you are interested in a field placement at the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, please contact our Mental Health Manager, Ana Nunez , Psy.D. at anunez@chicagoCAC.org
Network of Treatment Providers-Child Sexual Abuse (NTP-CSA):
The CCAC facilitates the Network of Treatment Providers-Child Sexual Abuse. This collaboration was developed between Chicago area agencies and private therapists to work together to support abused children, their minor siblings and non-offending caregivers. This ensures that survivors of sexual abuse are provided with access to specially trained mental health providers.
Mental Health Staff
Ana Nunez, Psy.D.
Mental Health Manager
Shipra Parikh, Ph.D., LCSW
Bilingual/ Bicultural Therapist
Maggie Brown, LCSW
Adolescent Therapist
Jiwon Yoon, MAAT
Art Therapist
Rebecca Nelson, LSSW
Bilingual Therapist
Students
Jenna Felczak
Lindsay Powers
Psychology Externs
Tina Dorow, LCSW
Alison Jones
Lindsey Pagos
Clinical Social Work Interns
Jae Eun Song
Art Therapy Intern
If you would like to make a donation to support the treatment of children who are survivors of child sexual abuse please contact Melissa Siemasz at msiemasz@ChicagoCAC.org
