Counseling Services
Counseling groups, individual sessions, and support groups offered by trained staff provide clients with the ongoing support to grow, heal, and rebuild their lives. Whether a woman is in crisis and wants to escape her abuser immediately, is working on issues as a survivor, or is just looking for a few friendly faces for a reality check, the Outreach Groups and staff provide an outlet. If you are interested in atttending a group, please contact Linda Sparks, Outreach Coordinator at 818-887-7481 X14.
- Drop-in Clinic is held daily Monday through Friday at 10:00 AM
- Groups are scheduled for both day and evening
- Spanish and English groups are available
- A special survivors' group is ongoing
In 2009 120 clients received counseling from our Outreach Staff.
One Outreach Group Member wrote...."I feel that since I have become connected to Haven Hills through individual and group counseling I have gained a greater understanding of how to break the cycle of abuse that started early in my childhood and how it has affected my ability to make healthy choices in the men in my life. I am learning t o believe in myself. I have learned I am a loveable and respectable person who deserves to be treated with respect. Haven Hills, Linda Sparks, and group are now my lifeline. I know this is my safe place. It is wonderful to know there is that kind of safe "Haven" for me."
Success Story
Angela is a 38 year old woman who left Oakland to flee her batterer one and a half years ago with her four children, two sons ages 20 and 18, and two daughters ages 8 and 5. When she arrived in Los Angeles, she had no family or friends to rely on, little money and tremendous fear that her abuser would come after her. The level of violence against her was extremely lethal, her injuries had been very serious, and all of her children had suffered abuse also.
After spending thirty days in the shelter, she was referred to the outreach clinic for counseling. She graduated to the Survivor's Group where aftermath issues are addressed. With the assistance of financial aid and other resources developed through our program, Angela returned to school to fulfill her long-time dream of teaching. She is now completing her student teaching requirement at a local elementary school.
Her daughters' self-esteem has improved through an art program provided by volunteers at Haven Hills. Her sons are less aggressive and are healing, also. Angela works very hard in counseling in order to sort out the complications of her life post battering. Her eloquence, dignity and courage have been inspirational to the group.