Because violence is a learned behavior, it can be unlearned. Project PAVE’s counseling program helps children and youth (birth - 24 years) who have been touched by relationship violence.  Relationship violence includes difficult experiences such as:

• Witnessing domestic violence within the family
• Experiencing physical abuse, neglect or sexual abuse by an acquaintance or relative
• Dealing with bullying behaviors or sexual harassment
• Being in unhealthy and controlling teen dating relationships

Our counseling office is centrally located in the City Park neighborhood and offers a comfortable, home-like environment. Flexible day and evening hours and affordable sliding scale fees are available.  In assisting with financing, you may also be eligible for a Counseling Scholarship or Crime Victim Compensation.

Project PAVE therapists tailor the counseling process to meet the unique needs of each family, offering assessment, individual and group counseling, parenting education, family therapy and supportive services.  After completing a thorough assessment process, PAVE therapists will recommend an approach and develop a specialized plan that will guide the healing process.

Our caring team of therapists is licensed and experienced in working young children, school-aged children, teens and young adults.  Specialized approaches such as play therapy and EMDR are offered.  If you would like to set up an initial appointment or have additional questions, call Project PAVE at 303-322-2382 and ask to speak with the Clinical Director.  

Individual counseling is available for children and youth that have been impacted by relationship violence.  We understand that children and youth who have gone through a traumatic experience may internalize it or act it out with family members and peers.  We believe that establishing a trusting, one-to-one relationship is critical to a positive outcome.  Though parents are included at the outset, individual counseling offers children and youth a safe, therapeutic environment to heal on their own terms.  Teens 15 years and older may consent to participating in individual counseling on their own. 

Healthy Relationship Groups for Young Women
Project PAVE offers 10-week counseling groups for young women interested in learning about healthy relationships, for those at-risk of dating violence, and for those already involved in unhealthy dating relationships.  Ideal ages for this group include young women ages 16 -19 years, though we encourage interest from women in their early 20s.  This 10-week group includes a gender-specific focus that empowers women to explore relevant issues in their lives.  Payment for the groups is $5.00 per session, though special financial needs are considered.  Prior to joining group sessions participants complete an individual intake interview.  Groups are held at the Project PAVE office in the City Park neighborhood.

Project PAVE truly believes in taking a family-centered approach.  When children and youth experience relationship violence, the whole family is affected.  Family therapy allows family members to shift unhealthy family dynamics and create new patterns. Family therapy also helps:

• Children and youth move past their trauma to become truly functional
• Parents nurture their relationships with their children and use effective discipline
• Families practice healthy communication and problem-solving skills

Throughout the counseling process, Project PAVE therapists ask participants about their strengths and weaknesses, their family and community supports and their cultural and religious backgrounds. Through sharing a fuller picture, families are able to identify additional needed supports. Here are some examples of the supportive services we provide to our clients:

• Gathering information on community resources and help getting linked to them
• Assisting with court proceedings and legal resources through advocacy efforts
• Supporting parents with school-related meetings or other systems-level meetings
• Staying connected with service providers such as probation officers or case managers

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – EMDR is a method of psychotherapy that has been researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma.  Extensive research has established EMDR to be effective in treating post traumatic stress symptoms.  Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop following any traumatic or catastrophic life experience.  Abuse victims often develop PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, feelings of estrangement, nightmares, sleep disturbances, difficulty functioning and memory disturbances.  EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches.  For more information about EMDR visit the web site, http://www.emdria.org.

Play Therapy - Children frequently communicate their experiences through play — an essential part of healthy child and cognitive development.  Play therapy is typically used with children ages 3 – 10 years and enables children to express their feelings through a self-directed, natural process.  Through observing a child playing with toys, Project PAVE therapists notice the objects they select, their patterns of play and how they interact.  The therapeutic power of play helps children prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and anxieties and helps them grow and develop.

Counseling Scholarships - Through the Denver County Court, Project PAVE is able to offer free counseling for children and youth who have witnessed domestic violence.  If you have recently filed a restraining order with a victim advocate from the Denver County Court or Project Safeguard, you are eligible for this scholarship.  You may have already received paperwork about this scholarship. If you did not, you can contact the victim’s advocate you spoke with or call Project PAVE at 303-322-2382 and ask about PAVE’s Counseling Scholarship program.

If you or your child has been physically or emotionally injured or a member of your family has been killed as a result of a crime, you may be eligible for compensation to help pay for:

• Medical expenses
• Mental health counseling
• Loss of wages due to injury
• Funeral expenses
• Residential doors, locks and windows

Our staff makes it easy for you by helping you determine if you are eligible and by assisting you with the application paperwork.  Or, you can call the Office for Victims Programs to determine which Judicial District Office to contact regarding your eligibility.
Denver Metro: 303-239-5719
Outside Metro Area: 1-888-282-1080

If you are not eligible for a scholarship or crime victim compensation, Project PAVE offers a reasonable sliding scale fee.  The first assessment session is free of charge. During this initial interview, your therapist will discuss the fee agreement with you and determine an amount that works with your household income.  At this time Project PAVE does not utilize private insurance contracts or Medicaid reimbursement.