Child Abuse Treatment With Proven Results

Child abuse is a terrible form of trauma that includes neglect and physical, mental, sexual and emotional abuse that is perpetuated against a child. About 3 million cases of child abuse involving 5.5 million abused and neglected children are reported each year in America. Often children are abused by their family or caretakers, causing additional grief and attachment issues. Child abuse is especially damaging because children lack the development to physically and emotionally protect themselves from their abuser, causing widespread trauma that may be carried for lifetime.

Most cases that are reported to Child Protective Services involve neglect, followed by physical and sexual abuse as well as other forms of domestic violence. There is considerable overlap, and many children who are abused in one way are also abused in other ways as well.

Children deserve the opportunity to grow up in a loving and nurturing environment. Unfortunately, parents and caretakers are often plagued by their own issues, including depression, domestic violence and their own history of childhood abuse. All of these factors put children at a high risk of becoming victims of child abuse.

Whether working directly with children or adults who were harmed as children, child abuse therapy is an important part of what we offer here at the retreat center. Often parents are unaware of the lasting consequences that their actions have on their children, leaving it up to the children once they are grown to process all of the confusing and traumatic events that occurred during childhood. Thankfully, we use effective treatments that are proven to help undo the mental and emotional burden that was accumulated in childhood, allowing survivors to let go of their early trauma.

Types of Child Abuse

• Physical abuse: Physical abuse occurs when a child's body is injured from hitting, kicking, shaking, burning or other shows of force. A study shows that 1 out of 20 children has experienced physical abuse in their lifetime.

• Neglect: Neglect and other forms of maltreatment are much more common in poverty-stricken families and among very young parents and parents who abuse drugs or alcohol. Child abuse and neglect can take on various forms, including physical neglect like failing to provide food, clothing or shelter, emotional neglect like failing to provide love, comfort or affection and medical neglect, which includes failing to provide necessary medical treatment. Psychological and emotional abuse is the result of all forms of neglect, but can also be associated with verbal abuse, which adds additional trauma to the horrendous conditions that the neglected child is exposed to.

• Verbal abuse: Shouting and using inappropriate and hurtful language towards a child, including name calling and put downs, can have long-term negative effects on the child's self-esteem and sense of self identity.

• Sexual abuse: This includes extreme cases such as rape and incest as well as inappropriate touching or displays of a sexual nature that occur in front of the child. Lack of boundaries such as parents having sex in front of a child is also considered sexual abuse. Sadly, most sexual abuse towards children is perpetuated by parents or caretakers.

• Emotional abuse: All of the above forms of abuse will contribute to emotional abuse. Children rely on their parents or caretakers for emotional support, which includes love, affection and healthy examples of how to cope with emotional situations. When children are hurt, yelled at, left to fend for themselves or exposed to inappropriate and aggressive sexual contact, there are several long-term serious side effects that can occur, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, attachment issues as well a damage to the child's sense of healthy boundaries and physical and sexual identity.

It is the job of parents and caretakers to protect and nurture children. When this does not happen and they are subjected to an abuse situations and domestic violence, significant trauma occurs that can follow them for the rest of our lives. Child abuse treatment is an integral part of dismantling the painful and terrifying puzzle that is created by child abuse. If you have experienced child abuse, we encourage you to reach out to a professional therapist to address your current challenges.

During our intensive child abuse therapy retreats, we use powerful methods to help you process and resolve childhood trauma, allowing you to release the negative emotions and limiting self-beliefs that are associated with traumatic memories so you can move forward and live a life that is free from the burdens of your upbringing and filled with joy and serenity.

What to Expect