Sexual Assault and Sexual Survivor (SASA) Program

Program Overview

Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse (SASA)

Program

At Level Up Wellness Group, we offer the Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse (SASA) Program, crafted by select skilled therapists who specialize in supporting families through these challenging experiences. Our program is dedicated to helping children and adolescents who have experienced any form of sexual violence, including assault, abuse, or exploitation, whether by family members or others. Please note that only certain therapists on our team are part of this specialized program.

The SASA program is led by our Child Therapist lead: Dr. Mercy. She is our passionate and skilled lead for this program, a Registered Social Worker and faculty member at the Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute. She brings extensive expertise and a heartfelt commitment to supporting children and families through their healing journey.

Who We Help

The SASA Program is designed to support:

Children and youth who have experienced sexual violence without displaying problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs).

Children under 12 with PSBs who have also faced sexual violence

Siblings affected by changes in the family due to disclosure of abuse

Siblings under 12 with PSBs who are not involved in legal proceedings

Parents and caregivers

The entire family system

Our

Approach

Our methods are based on the latest research in child development, trauma, and family systems. We use this knowledge to create a supportive and healing environment for both the child and their family. The therapists who are part of this team work together from a multi-professional lens, engaging in regular consultation to ensure you and your family receive the best support for healing and recovery.

Treatment

Approaches

Our multi-professional team employs a variety of evidence-based treatment strategies, including:

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Play-based therapies
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)
Expressive therapies, such as art therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Family therapy
Individual therapy for parents/caregivers
Medication management, if needed (Note: Medication support is a separate charge outside the program cost)

Each treatment plan is uniquely tailored to individual needs, focusing on relationship-based and developmentally appropriate strategies. Our goal is to empower children and adolescents to lead their recovery, develop a renewed sense of safety, and support post-traumatic growth.

Your Journey with Us

Comprehensive Developmental

Assessment

Assessment and treatment of children and youth who have experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse is a complex process because they present with unique developmental needs and challenges. There are often external pressures for rapid assessment and quick entry into treatment, specifically trauma processing to reduce the child or youth’s distress and symptoms. The importance of a thorough and comprehensive assessment is critical to and informs all treatment. The process of assessment allows the child or youth to gain a sense of comfort and safety with the primary therapist and clinical team during Level 1 Trauma Focused care.

Our initial focus is on stabilizing symptoms, helping children and families find calm and return to daily routines.

Our treatment journey begins with a comprehensive developmental assessment tailored to the needs of young individuals. This assessment includes:

Extended

Developmental Assessment:

Our SASA extended developmental assessments follow the model developed by Gil (2006), framed in trauma and attachment theories. The goals include:

Evaluating the child's development before and after the trauma.
Identifying any active symptoms and problem areas
Assessing the impact of the trauma
Understanding the child's strengths and coping strategies
Exploring the child's perception of family support
Encouraging parental support and nurturing
Addressing any safety concerns
Developing a treatment plan based on the assessment findings

Level 1

Interventions

Focusing on symptom stabilization, including:

Rest and recreation
Relaxation strategies
Resuming daily routines
Psychoeducation on symptoms
Emotional regulation
Addressing safety concerns

Level 2 -

treatment

Every treatment plan is customized to the child’s and family’s needs, focusing on building safety, trust, and resilience. Our goal is to empower children and adolescents to heal and grow, supported by their families and our expert team. We also offer financing options to make our services more accessible.

For more information and to request a brochure, please contact Level Up Wellness Group. Let our compassionate therapists guide your family through this specialized program, bringing hope and healing to those in need.

Our services and assessments are non-forensic/legal assessments:

All assessments inform treatment only; providers do not offer expert witness testimony or third-party documentation for legal proceedings.

Fee for Service: Services can be claimed under psychological, social work, or counselling services for those with private insurance benefits.
Level Up Wellness Group: Third-party financing may be available. Contact us for more information
Team Meetings: Our SASA team consults together to ensure your family is receiving the best care and outcomes in healing. We are all working together to meet your family’s needs.

Please Note: Only specific therapists at Level Up Wellness Group are part of this specialized program.

We are committed to supporting your health journey with personalized, expert nutrition counselling. Contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step towards achieving your wellness goals with Level Up Wellness Group.