The Sexual Assault Resource Center was founded by two sexual assault survivors in 1977. SARC operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. We are a non-profit organization funded by government grants, foundations, and private donations.
Services Offered
The Alder Program Counseling Services
SARC's Counseling Program welcomes survivors with warmth, kindness, and an understanding that taking the first step towards healing can be difficult. Our counselors have expertise in providing trauma-specific care to help survivors of sexual assault heal.
We offer individual and group counseling to survivors who: Are 15 years or older Live in Washington County (requirement for individual counseling only) Have been sexually assaulted in their adolescence or adulthood Wish to focus on sexual trauma recovery in their mental health treatment
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING
Individual counseling is typically weekly for 50 minute sessions with your designated counselor. Together you will develop a treatment plan that fits your needs. The recovery of trauma is our primary goal, and we understand that interpersonal trauma can affect many areas of a survivor's life. Our treatment approach is holistic, it emphasizes your strengths and choices, and strives to be culturally sensitive.
SUPPORT GROUP
SSARC's Mental Health Program offers a variety of groups. Support groups can be an important part of healing for survivors as they decrease the sense of isolation that many survivors feel and can be helpful in working through interpersonal challenges. SARC's group program offerings may vary throughout the year as we try to provide a combination of ongoing process-oriented support groups and time-limited topic-specific groups.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
