Domestic Violence Services for Children

Children don’t have to be physically hurt to experience trauma.  High levels of stress, and hearing or seeing domestic violence can harm children. There are many supportive and helpful resources in our community. Sometimes it takes time, patience and several calls to find the help that is right for your child(ren).  Click on the links below to learn more.

King County Coordinated Response Guide to Domestic Violence

Center for Human Services (CHS)

Phone: (206) 362-7282
Email: admin@chs-nw.org
Website: www.chs-nw.org
Cost: Sliding scale available.
Additional Information: Multiple locations. Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health (IEC MH) services ages 0-5 years. Children and parents may need help recovering from early trauma, loss, family conflict, addiction, abuse and stress.  The treatment models used at CHS are evidence-based and include Promoting First Relationships and the Child-Parent Psychotherapy model for working with trauma.

Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN)  

Crisis Line: (425) 656-7867 (toll free: 877-465-7234)
Phone: (253) 893-1600
Emergency housing: (206) 622-1881
Email: info@dawnrising.org
Website: www.dawnrising.org
Cost: Free.
Additional Information: DAWN protects men, women and children from domestic abuse, providing shelter, support and empowerment so they can build secure and happy lives. DAWN offers Community Advocacy, Legal Advocacy, Mental Health Counseling, and Support Groups for women and children in both English and Spanish. We have a 24 hour advocacy hotline, and are the sole provider of emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence in the area. We lead our community toward the vision of a violence-free future by sharing our expertise and educating people to recognize, respond to and prevent violence. All services at DAWN are free to clients.

Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress (not limited to sexual assault issues)

Phone: (206) 744-1600
Email: no email available; phone call required
Website: depts.washington.edu//hcsats/
Cost: Sliding scale and some free options for lower income families.  Ask about financial assistance if you do not have insurance, Medicaid or Applecare.
Additional Information: Multiple locations. Not limited to sexual assault issues; offers services for traumatic stress as well as other issues. Counselors are available to help individuals and families who are affected by child abuse and neglect, crime, exposure to domestic and community violence, accidents, disasters and other traumatic events. Counseling services are based on the best available evidence for effectiveness and are tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals and families.

Lifewire  

24 Hour Help Line: 425-746-1940 or 800-827-8840
Phone: (425) 562-8840
Email: info@lifewire.org
Website: https://www.lifewire.org/ or https://www.lifewire.org/get-help/teens/
Cost:
Additional Information: For children who accompany their mothers to Support Groups. In a supportive, safe environment, children who have witnessed and/or been victims of abuse develop skills to help them better cope with their experiences and just be kids again. Through exercises and structured play children learn appropriate ways to express anger, deal with their fears and stay safe.  VOICES is LifeWire’s support group for teens who have experienced abuse and/or violence and are interested in connecting with youth who share their experiences. VOICES is a safe space for youth to learn, grow and care for one another through activities such as games, sports, art projects, movie nights and pizza parties as well as engage in thoughtful small group discussion focused on healthy relationships and laughter.

New Beginnings  

24 Hour Help Line: (206) 522-9472
Phone: (206) 783-4520
Email: info@newbegin.org
Website: www.newbegin.org
Cost:
Additional Information: Multiple programs and services. The CDVRT (Children’s Domestic Violence Response Team) is a collaboration between New Beginnings and Sound Mental Health to provide professional counseling services for children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence. The child is the primary patient although the non-abusive parent and siblings may become part of the process. Children as young as 1 ½ have received counseling through this program. Our staff also facilitates individual and group sessions with the non-abusive parent to increase positive parenting skills that support a child’s healing process. Other services include the Community Advocacy Program (CAP), emergency shelter, Transitional Housing Program (THP), and Social Change Program (“Owning Up” groups).

Sound Mental Health

Phone: (206) 302-2300 or toll free: 1 (800) 828-1449
TTY Video Phone: (206)455-7929
Email: admissionsvm@sound.health
Website: www.smh.org  or  https://www.smh.org/child-family/
Cost: Approved provider for Medicaid/Apple Health, Medicare, and many commercial health plans; provides resources to help you apply for Medicaid or Applecare; no sliding scale available.
Additional Information: The Children’s Domestic Violence Response Team serves children ages 3-18 years and survivors who have witnessed DV, uses team approach with evidenced based therapy. Many services to address trauma and traumatic stress. Offers outpatient, community and school based services.

Southeast Youth and Family Services

Phone: (206) 721-5542
Email: info@seyfs.org
Website: www.seyfs.org
Cost:
Additional Information: Offers numerous programs for King County youth ages 2 – 20 years old including classes, workshops, support groups, and family counseling. The goal of our counseling programs is to increase stability and coping skills for children, youth and families. We address emotional challenges, behavioral problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and threats, school problems, drug and alcohol issues, peer difficulties, trauma recovery, family conflict, offense behavior, self esteem issues, abuse issues, and other mental health issues. Counseling can be provided at the agency, schools, client homes, or other agreed on locations. Referrals, crisis intervention and advocacy with other services systems are provided as needed.

Southwest Youth and Family Services

Phone: (206) 937-7680
Email: info@swyfs.org
Website: www.swyfs.org
Cost: Sliding scale available. Accepts medical coupons and some insurance.
Additional Information: Offers a wide range of state-licensed and culturally sensitive counseling services for children, teens, young adults, and their families in English and Spanish. Our Counseling Center’s services range from brief, highly focused counseling to longer-term services, depending on the need of the youth or family. Counseling can be provided at our offices, in the client’s home, schools, or other community settings. Our goal is to make counseling as accessible as possible.

Wellspring Family Services

Phone: (206) 826-3050
Email: dvinfo@wellspringfs.org
Website: www.wellspringfs.org
Cost: Varies; does accept most insurance and Medicare, does not accept medical coupons.
Additional Information: Helps children, individuals, and families who are experiencing crisis triumph over trauma through multiple services that wrap around the family. Wellspring Parent Child Services offers parent/child therapy in either a home or professional office setting for children 0-5 years of age and their caregivers. They also have an Early Learning Center that offers play therapy for young children to help with development and behaviors.

Youth Eastside Services (Serves East King County)

Phone: 425-747-4937
Email: No email provided; phone call required
Website: http://www.youtheastsideservices.org/
Cost: Sliding fee scale based on family size and income. Accepts medical coupons and medical insurance as well.
Additional Information: Specializes in age-appropriate mental health services for youth ages birth to 22 and their families. We offer specialized programs for cultural, ethnic and sexual minorities; youth with disabilities; and youth involved with the juvenile justice system. We treat a wide range of issues, including trauma, grief, anxiety, depression and more using evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing and others. School based programs also available. Serves East King County.

YWCA 

Phone: 206.491.2541 (Children’s Domestic Violence Advocate)
Website:  https://www.ywcaworks.org/  or  http://www.ywcaworks.org/dvprograms
Cost: Free
Additional Information: A nationally-recognized model to help children overcome the effects of witnessing domestic violence in the home. In-home counseling is provided for ten weeks for youth ages 4-18 years old living in Seattle or South King County. Multiple programs and services including in-home counseling, safety planning, and more.

If you are in crisis, please call on of the following services for help:

24-Hour Crisis Line 866-4-CRISIS (866-427-4747)
King County 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 or 800-621-4636 (M–F 8am–6pm)
24-Hour WA Recovery Help Line 866-789-1511
Teen Link 866-833-6546 (Evenings 6–10pm)

Family Law CASA does not endorse any organization listed; the information is simply provided to assist those seeking resources. These lists may not be complete and do not include those in private practice. Suggestions for additional resources to be listed are welcome.