Offering Office-Based Therapeutic Services Free of Charge

From the beginning, Victim Support Services (VSS) has been committed to providing trauma focused care, focusing on empowerment and client driven individual, family and group services. We recognize that people come from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences, that traumatic experiences may or may not be part of their history.  We believe that people are resilient, that with guidance in addressing their emotional, behavioral, cognitive, spiritual and/or physical well-being they can become their whole self. We also recognize that trauma is part of a system, that families, friends and communities are affected and extending our support to those individuals or groups. Our therapists are trained to work with people of all ages who have experienced trauma using a variety of techniques. The trauma work we do involves providing compassion, guidance and a variety of tools to assist on their journey.

VSS strongly believes in collaboration, recognizing the importance of a solid support network around the person or family. For instance, a person may have a criminal case happening in the criminal justice system. Working as a team, a community advocate, system advocate and mental health therapist can provide a “wrap-around” service ensuring that the person or family is given information and support. Ultimately, a person is best served when they are aware of services, are supported in accessing those services and provided the tools to utilize the service.

In 2017 VSS received a Service Enhancement and Expansion Grant from Washington State’s Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OVCA) to provide free therapy services to residents of Snohomish County who have been hurt or harmed by crime. VSS therapists provide trauma informed therapy to individuals and families impacted by crime, many whom have had little to no access to mental health. Working in conjunction with VSS advocates has enabled us to provide optimal services by providing therapy alongside advocacy services. This grant ends in June, 2018. We are currently seeking funding to continue to provide this valuable service.

October 2014 brought tragedy to the Marysville community when five students died as the result of gun violence. VSS was there to provide crisis intervention and therapeutic support at Marysville Pilchuck High School and to the Marysville community through grant funding received from the Office of Victims of Crime. Although this funding ended in June, 2017, VSS continues to offer office-based therapeutic services free of charge to individuals and families impacted by this event.