Wellspring Counseling has expanded its successful Bounce! Therapeutic Program, opening a second one-week intensive session that allows for an additional number of children to ‘bounce back’ from traumatic events in their lives. The second camp is now scheduled for July 24-28.

The Bounce! Therapeutic Program is a one-week therapeutic program offered in the summer, designed to resolve traumas for youth who have experienced events such as the death of a loved one, child trafficking, abuse, experiencing violence, and other major traumatic events that would lead to life-long emotional handicaps.

“This is a very big step for us, but our success rate in prior years has been nothing short of compelling,” says Tova Kreps, LCSW, President of Wellspring. “One week of intensive therapy, along with the ancillary services we provide these children could easily cost $20,000 for the week in a more conventional setting. Our professional staff volunteering a portion of its time, along with other subsidies and funding has allowed us to stretch and provide a second week.”

Using evidence-based curriculum and its own trauma education content, the Bounce! program helps children deal with what is often un-processed trauma. The goal of Bounce! is to promote Post-Traumatic Growth instead of Post-Traumatic Stress, allowing traumatized youth to experience themselves as safe and empowered, resilient individuals.

“Diagnosing and treating a trauma episode in a child is crucial to not only their long-term mental health, but their ability to function as a meaningful adult in the future,” adds Kreps. “It is our belief that even a moderate trauma episode in a child’s life, left untreated, can lead to long-term negative emotional ramifications throughout their entire life. We want to help bring healing through a proven, successful protocol.”

Children ages 10-17 are referred into Bounce! by local agencies serving at-risk youth, local therapists or parents. They are carefully screened for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) prior to entering the program. PTSD is curable if it is attended to with specialized treatment. Untreated, however, PTSD symptoms can lead to complications in children of depression, poor school performance, social and emotions handicaps, and at-risk behaviors, all of which can permanently affect the child's future potential, and ultimately emotionally handicap a child for life.

Pre and post assessments for prior years of Bounce reveal a 25%-37% reduction in PTSD Symptoms for participating youth.

Staffed by therapists from Wellspring and volunteers, Bounce! includes trauma education, group and individual therapy, equine and art therapy, and parent participation in the context of a fun, experiential camp environment.

“What this staff does for these children is nothing short of miraculous,” adds Dr. Leigh Byers, Wellspring’s Executive Director. “The empirical proof of success has encouraged us to expand the summer program, and as importantly, seek additional funding to drive Bounce! as a year-round program. The vast majority of these children come from very under-served areas, over 90% from free-breakfast and lunch school communities. There is no chance they would ever have the opportunity to benefit from such a program without outside financial support.”

For additional information on Bounce!, or to donate to this life-altering program, visit http://www.wellspringmiami.org/bounce

About Wellspring Counseling

Wellspring Counseling, Inc. is a non-profit counseling center and outreach ministry established in 2009. It provides mental health services and education in a professional, Christian and holistic way in order to bring about transforming change in individuals and communities. Wellspring therapists include Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, EMDR Certified Therapists, and a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. Wellspring is headquartered in Palmetto Bay, with additional offices in Wayside Baptist Church, Christ Journey, and Touching Miami with Love. For more information about Wellspring Counseling, please visit www.wellspringmiami.org.