SAFE Counseling (Child Attachment Therapy)

Is Your Child a Candidate for SAFE Counseling?

Not every troubled child is an appropriate candidate for Safe Counseling. The therapy is specifically designed for children who exhibit clear symptoms of an Attachment Disorder.

The first step requires an assessment of your child's history and current behavioral symptoms. If you review the checklist (see back panel) and determine that your child displays several of the symptoms that are listed, you are encouraged to call the Catholic Social Services of_fice for additional information about the program.

Initial consultation session is provided without cost. Complete child/family assessment is an in-depth process and does require a commitment of time and resources. There is a charge for the child/family assessment (approximately $400). Assessment and/or counseling fees may be covered by your insurance provider. Or, if the child has been adopted, you may qualify for public funding programs. To assure that services are provided to all families who are in need of this special counseling program, SAFE Counselors will help you make financial arrangements.

Signs of Reactive Attachment Disorder

Birth to 1 year

• Failure to respond with recognition to face of primary caretaker in the first six months.
• Infrequent vocalizations - babbling, crying.
• Resistant to physical contact or appears stressed by it - rigid and unyielding.
• Delayed milestones - creeping, crawling, sitting.

Ages 1 to 5

• Excessively clingy and whiny.
• Persistent, frequent tantrums, sometimes escalating, apparently beyond child's control.
• Unable to occupy self in a positive way without involving others.
• Intolerant of separation from primary caretakers except on child's terms.
• Indiscriminate display of affection, sometimes to strangers.
• Problems of speech development or motor coordination - considered accident prone.
• Hyperactivity evident.
• Feeding problems.
• By five, may be manipulative, devious, destructive, hurtful to pets, frequently lying.

Ages 5-14

• Lack of eye contact with others while talking with them.
• Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers or asks to go home with them.
• Refuses affection, pushes parents away unless the child is in control of how and when affection is received.
• Destructive to self, others and material things - seems to enjoy hurting others.
• Cruelty to animals.
• Stealing - steals in ways that almost guarantees getting caught.
• Lying about obvious. Lies when it is just as easy to tell the truth.
• No impulse control. Extremely defiant and angry.
• Learning lags. Underachieves in school.
• Lack of cause and effect thinking. Surprised when others are upset by his or her actions.
• Poor peer relationships.
• Preoccupation with fire or gore.
• Sexual acting out - may act sexually provocative with peers or adults.