Safe Solutions for Sexually Reactive Youth

Your child may benefit from Youth Home's Safe Solutions program if they are an adolescent who:

• Exemplifies age inappropriate sexual acting out behavior
• Excessive sex play or preoccupation
• Mutual sexual contacts with others
• Excessive masturbation
• Has an interest in sex that overrides other activities
• Touches animals in a sexual way
• Exhibits sexual behavior that continues even after intervention or redirection by parents

Note:

• This behavior is typically a response to things going on around them that triggers memories of painful or traumatic experiences
• This behavior is often not within the full conscious control of the child

Brenda Scheffler, LCSW - Lead Therapist - has over 25 years of experience treating youth and caring for their families. 

As a clinical therapist and direct care staff member, she has a strong institutional knowledge of RAD, with over 70% of our patients at Youth Home having a primary RAD diagnosis. 

She also adopted and raised 2 children as her own, own of whom was diagnosed with RAD, and served as a therapeutic foster parent for 7 years. 

Brenda Scheffler, LCSW Qualifications:

• Graduated in 1987 from the University of Missouri with a MSW
• Has worked for over 25 years treating youth and families
• Adopted two youth, one who was diagnosed with RAD
• Was a therapeutic foster parent for seven years
• Attended eight years of therapy with her son who was diagnosed with RAD
• Continues to attend ongoing trainings pertaining to RAD treatment
• Is qualified to train other therapists, direct care staff, and foster parents on RAD treatment
• Is highly empathetic towards families who are going through this diagnosis with their child

Admission Criteria

• 12 to 17 years of age
• Sexual behavior problems including: sexual reactivity, sexual abuse trauma, and engagement in extensive mutual sexual behavior that requires an intensive psychiatric facility
• Note: This program is not appropriate for perpetrators of sexual abuse or assault.
• Recent attempts at treatment in outpatient therapy and/or inpatient hospitalization
• Intellectually capable of benefiting from the program (Full-scale IQ = 70 or above)
• Regular and committed family/caregiver involvement

This track is NOT acceptable for those who:

• Use threats of harm, coercion, or bribery to keep the sexual acts a secret
• Use violence, weapons, implements or objects during sexual acts
• Use intimidating behavior
• Use lies or manipulations to avoid the truth when confronted