Local organization speaks on counseling

Local organization speaks on counseling Brian Smith Tue, 05/14/2024 - 3:32 pm   Courtney Shifflett with Affirming Texas Families Services speaks to Jacksboro Lions Club members during their Wednesday, May 8 meeting. Photo/Brian Smith Working to ease the burden of crime victims in underserved areas is one of the primary goals of the counseling service Affirming Texas Family Services. ATFS Program Manager Courtney Shifflett spoke Wednesday, May 8 to the Jacksboro Lions Club. Since starting in 2018 in Bowie has expanded from Bowie to neighboring counties, including Jack, Montague, Clay and Young counties in recent years. There is no charge for the licensed counseling services provided to victims of crime. Family members of those affected, such as parents and guardians, can also receive counseling as well free of charge. Crime victims as young as 4 years old receive counseling through ATFS. There are different types of counseling and therapy provided through the organization. Counselors and social workers provide a diverse array of therapy methods for treating trauma. Shifflett said equine-assisted therapy is offered where children work with horses who provide a sense of peace. “Our counselors say with some of the victims you can see the trauma melting off of them,” Shifflett said of the equine therapy. Recently, the organization has been working with Jack County Standing Together on Meth Prevention (STOMP) and discussing sex trafficking. Shifflett spoke to students in all three county school districts two weeks ago about sex trafficking. “It’shereinJackCounty,” Shifflett said. “It’s not 100 miles away.” Shifflett said ATFS is more focused on aftercare of the victims as opposed to a program like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) which works with victims while before and during the court trial. “We’re more into the after care helping go from victim to a survivor,” Shifflett said. The program manager said there are ways to get involved including becoming an ATFS volunteer, of which Shifflett said there are none in Jack County. Helping be a part of the solution and taking a crime prevention course is also a way to get involved. The community can make a referral online or by phone for child victims at affirmingtexasfamiliesservices. com or 855-239-2837.