Griffin Health Offers New Therapy for Young Adults Impacted by Trauma

Griffin Health Psychiatry Services is starting a new therapy program to help young adults impacted by trauma recover and regain confidence.

Strength Awareness Freedom Empowerment (SAFE) is a trauma-informed intensive outpatient program designed to support young adults ages 18-26 in healing from the impact of trauma without the pressure to disclose or relive painful experiences.

Traumatic experiences can have both immediate and long-term consequences for young adults. These traumas include a wide range of terrifying or life-threatening experiences, including child maltreatment (including physical and sexual abuse and neglect), medical traumas, accidents, natural disasters, war, terrorism, refugee trauma, traumatic loss, severe bullying, and exposure to domestic and community violence. The effects can lead to severe disturbances in mood, behavior, attention, attachment, and impulse control, and increase the risk of psychiatric, cardiac, metabolic, immunological, and gastrointestinal illness later in life. There is also a high chance for developing enduring symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Through group-based therapy and support from licensed clinicians trained in trauma-informed care, SAFE helps young adults recover from trauma by navigating challenging topics including identity, relationships, emotional regulation, trust, boundaries, and self-worth.

SAFE meets three days a week for three hours per day at Griffin Health Outpatient Psychiatry, 10 Progress Dr., Shelton. For more information, call 203-538-6244.