With the season of giving upon us, Carinity has launched our annual Christmas Appeal to make life a little easier for Queenslanders living with disadvantage.
Through your generous gift, we can provide extra support to people like Sophie* and her mother Theresa* who are survivors of domestic and family violence (DFV).
Sophie and Theresa arrived at Carinity’s specialist DFV counselling service, Talera, six months after escaping an abusive home. They had just found stable housing after living in a refuge, were in financial distress and suffering from complex trauma.
Sophie and Theresa were each provided a child and family therapist and engaged in weekly counselling for four years. Sophie was six years old when she first started coming to Talera and given her early exposure to DFV, it took a long time for her to feel safe in therapy.
However, through long-term, trauma-informed counselling, both Sophie and her mother made significant improvements in their abilities to cope with overwhelming emotions and to trust in their own capabilities.
On completing therapy, Sophie is doing well in school and has developed positive friendships with her peers. Theresa has achieved significant improvements in her mental health and has been engaged in stable employment for more than a year.
A senior practitioner at Talera said the organisation provides crucial services in the community.
“There are alarmingly high rates of DFV in Australia, and a real need for long-term therapy to help people process and heal from complex trauma,” she said.
“We are one of the only services funded to provide long-term, free trauma therapy to vulnerable children, young people and their protective caregivers.
“In addition, we work with stakeholders supporting the systems around families, often collaborating closely with schools, health agencies and other support services to increase knowledge around trauma and attachment.
“Even though our services are free, many clients can’t afford the transport costs to visit regularly and often struggle to pay for the necessities like food and housing.
“Donations from the Carinity Christmas Appeal will allow us to purchase fuel vouchers and food hampers to further help our families in times of need.
“This will have a direct and positive impact, and we are so thankful for the support.”
