Hibiscus Children’s Center Helps Children Heal Through Mental Health Services
Treasure Coast – May is “Mental Health Awareness Month”. During this time, and throughout the year, Hibiscus Children’s Center focuses on providing Mental Health Services to children and youth in our care and in the community to help them overcome the obstacles and challenges they are facing. Some of the issues addressed include low self-esteem, divorce and family conflict, child sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect, drop in grades or problems concentrating in class, sudden changes in behavior, and excessive fears, phobias, anxiety, and depression.
Hibiscus Children’s Center provides these services to abused children residing at the Hibiscus Children’s Village in Vero Beach and Tilton Family Children’s Shelter in Jensen Beach. Professional in-home counseling services are provided throughout the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee County to serve the community with therapeutic services that focus on decreasing emotional and behavioral issues related to abuse, trauma, neglect, and mental health disorders.
Hibiscus Children’s Center provided mental health services to over 760 children and families last year.
At Hibiscus Children’s Center, we understand that child sexual abuse is not only traumatic on the child, it impacts the entire family. Our Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) provides specialized treatment services for children who are victims of sexual abuse, as well as for their families. Through a combination of family and individual counseling for child sexual abuse survivors and their families, SATP works to reduce the trauma caused by sexual victimization. Hibiscus Children’s Center is the only Department of Health sanctioned Sexual Abuse Treatment Program on the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee County.
Seven-year old Nathan (name changed) displayed aggressive behavior at home and school. The Hibiscus Community Mental Health Counselor worked closely with Nathan and guided his mom how to communicate and not just react to behaviors. The Counselor and Nathan practiced roll playing appropriate vs. inappropriate behaviors and learning how emotions impact behaviors. The Counselor began to see significant progress with a decrease in aggressive behaviors and better communication. Nathan told his teachers, “I don’t want to get angry at this school again. I am going to be happy and not fight anymore.” Nathan is doing great and continues to improve his behavior every day and is enjoying life as all children should!
Lacey Buxton, LMHC, Director of Outpatient Services/Sexual Abuse Treatment Program Coordinator, shared “Every day we witness youth, just like Nathan, whose lives are transformed through the love, care and Mental Health Services provided by Hibiscus Children’s Center. Our goal is to help children develop the necessary coping skills, heal from the trauma they have endured and grow into their fullest potential.”
Visit our Mental Health Services webpage
