Jennifer Holzhauer, Director, and Kelsey Linck, Clinic Case Manager, Washington University’s Trauma Response Program
Project CONTACT is pleased to highlight Washington University’s Trauma Response Program as our partner of the month. Director Jennifer Holzhauer and clinic case manager Kelsey Linck shared information about their program.
The Trauma Response Program serves children and adolescents in the St. Louis region (including the surrounding counties and the Metro East) who have experienced trauma. Jennifer and two other therapists provide evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy to referred children, many of whom have complex trauma histories. The interventions offered include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Integrative Treatment for Complex Trauma, Trauma and Grief Component Therapy, and Child Parent Psychotherapy. These treatment models enable children to process their traumatic experiences, build coping skills, harness emotional support from caregivers, and develop confidence about the future.
As is true for many programs serving trauma-exposed children, the need for TRP’s services outstrips the program capacity. Approximately 300 children are referred for therapy at TRP each year; as many as 90% of referrals come from St. Louis Children’s Hospital (including the emergency and inpatient psychiatric units as well as other departments). Unfortunately, due to limited funding, TRP can only serve around 20% of the children referred.
What happens to the 80% of referred children that TRP lacks the capacity to serve? Jennifer explains: “We stay in touch with other agencies that do EBPs and send kids there so they can get the services they need.” Jennifer appreciates that Project CONTACT is always accepting new cases for Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention. She is trained in CFTSI so knows how much it helps children in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events. However, Jennifer says she hasn’t implemented CFTSI since the inception of Project CONTACT. She and Kelsey refer all eligible children to CONTACT, allowing her to preserve more clinical availability for kids needing longer-term trauma therapy. “It feels fantastic to send kids to CONTACT knowing they’ll be getting CFTSI,” Jennifer adds.