Oftentimes, Safe Harbor (and organizations like us around the country) are seen as resources for people only when they are ready to leave an abusive relationship. In reality, many of the people who seek services with Safe Harbor are still in abusive relationships. Some may have the goal to exit, but they need support in determining how and when to exit safely. Others may have the goal to stay in their relationships, and they are seeking ways to be safer, to set healthy boundaries and to find their own personal power to make choices, even in the midst of the power and control of domestic violence.
At Safe Harbor, we believe survivors of domestic violence are experts in their own experiences. One survivor’s journey is never the same as the next. Our trauma informed approach allows us to walk alongside each client and family, offering support and resources as they set goals and make decisions that work uniquely for them.
Through our Community Counseling and Advocacy Services, we offer a wide variety of services to survivors of domestic violence. Our community-based services include adult counseling, child and family counseling, case management, advocacy, domestic violence education, parenting classes and group support. We work with clients in crisis who may need safety planning, community resources and coping skills to deal with trauma and hardships. Others may no longer be experiencing crisis but needing to process the trauma they have experienced, with a goal to move towards healing and hope.
Our Community Counseling and Advocacy Team meets clients where they are each day, listening to their experiences, honoring their strengths and supporting them as they make difficult choices and find personal power to take courageous steps. We’re deeply grateful for the passion, energy and heart that our Community Counselors and Advocates bring to their work, playing an integral role carrying out our vision to influence a culture where all people can feel safe and valued in their relationships.
To highlight and celebrate their work, we thought we'd introduce you to some of the individuals behind the scenes that do this work everyday! Keep reading to find out more...
Name & Job: Kristie Cohens, Director of Community Counseling and Advocacy Services
Favorite part of your job: I enjoy having the opportunity to walk alongside clients and staff. Being able to witness their growth, watch them become empowered to do what they never believed possible and celebrate with them.
Pro mental health tip for our readers: No…is a complete sentence.
It’s important to put your oxygen mask on yourself before you can put it on anyone else…remember to breathe.
How do you practice self-care currently: Unapologetically, taking time to pamper myself and steal away for some alone time.
Favorite positive quote: Grant yourself grace…you don’t know what you don’t know until you know it.
