Being a victim of a crime can be a traumatic and life-changing experience that can have physical, emotional, and psychological effects on a person. We understand the importance of supporting victims of crime during their time of need, which is why we offer free counseling services to help victims recover from their trauma.
Our team of licensed therapists is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to help victims cope with the aftermath of a crime. Our goal is to empower victims to heal and rebuild their lives, and we are committed to providing the support they need to do so.
Our services are available to victims of crime in Philadelphia at no charge. We do not require proof of insurance or citizenship. We hope that our services can help you on your journey towards healing.
About AVP's Counseling Services
We believe there is no one-size fits all approach to healing from the trauma of victimization, so we utilize a variety of effective, evidence-based methods and approaches to help victims and survivors experience healing, growth, and change.
Individual Therapy
Group Counseling
Care Coordination
If you are seeking more information about AVP’s school-based violence outreach program, which provides individual and group counseling to youth, please click here to learn about our Youth Violence Outreach program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about our counseling services. If you still have questions, contact us.
No, AVP provides its counseling services to Philadelphians free of charge. This is made possible by our generous funding.
During your first therapy session, your therapist will likely ask you a series of questions to get to know you better and understand why you decided to seek therapy. You may be asked about your victimization, your current mental and emotional state, your past experiences, and your goals for therapy. It’s important to be honest and open with your therapist so they can better understand how to help you.
The frequency of therapy sessions depends on your individual needs and goals. Generally, therapists recommend weekly sessions at the beginning of therapy to establish a consistent routine and build rapport. As you make progress, you may be able to decrease the frequency of sessions to biweekly or even monthly.
The length of therapy varies depending on your individual needs and goals. Some people may only need a few sessions to work through the trauma of their victimization, while others may benefit from long-term therapy to address deeper-rooted concerns. Your therapist can give you an estimate of how long they think therapy may take after getting to know you and your specific situation.
It’s important to feel comfortable and safe with your therapist in order to make progress in therapy. If you don’t feel comfortable with your therapist, it’s okay to bring this up with them and discuss your concerns. If you still don’t feel comfortable after addressing your concerns, it may be helpful to find a new therapist who better meets your needs.
As a general rule, therapists are legally and ethically bound to keep your sessions confidential. This means that they cannot share what you discuss in therapy with anyone without your permission, unless there is concern for your safety or the safety of others. Your therapist will explain AVP’s confidentiality policy in your first session and answer any questions you may have.
Group therapy provides an opportunity to learn and receive support from peers in a therapeutic environment designed to help you meet your goals and make change. Whereas individual therapy offers focused attention from a single professional, group counseling adds the benefit of receiving feedback and support from people with multiple perspectives and experiences.
If you know which group you would like to join, you can call our Intake Coordinator, Ciera Moore, at 267-209-0838 or counseling@avpphila.org and let her know which group interests you. If you are already a client, you can speak with your individual therapist about group options and they will support you in taking the next steps. You may be asked to participate in a brief “group screening” for the purpose of determining fit and learning more about the group before it begins.
Yes. In many cases, group counseling is a helpful complement to individual therapy.
If you are a former client and have been revictimized by a violent crime, you are eligible to receive AVP’s services. Please contact AVP’s Intake Coordinator at counseling@avpphila.org.