Fairfax County offers free counseling and clinical services to anyone affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) program. These services help both victims and their family members heal from trauma while also providing treatment programs for people who cause harm.
DSVS operates under the Department of Family Services and provides several types of support to the community. The clinical services program includes individual counseling, family therapy and group counseling sessions for people ages 4 and up.
“We offer services in English and Spanish with highly qualified trauma informed therapists,” said Melody Vielbig, clinical services program manager for DSVS. “This is a brief treatment model, generally somewhere between 10 and 12 sessions that supports those who are impacted by domestic and sexual violence.”
All counseling services are completely free for Fairfax County residents or anyone who was harmed within the county. Sessions can be held in person at various locations throughout the county or virtually through telehealth options.
Individual and Family Counseling
The program offers individual therapy sessions for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking. Family members who have been affected by these crimes can also receive counseling. Parents worried about how domestic violence has impacted their children can get support for both themselves and their kids.
Family therapy sessions are available when multiple family members need help processing trauma together. These sessions help families communicate better and start the healing process as a unit.
Group Therapy Options
DSVS runs several group counseling programs that connect survivors with others who have similar experiences:
- Domestic violence survivor groups (8 weeks)
- Sexual violence survivor groups (8 weeks)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy groups (4 weeks)
The DBT groups teach practical coping skills like mindfulness, breathing techniques and ways to manage difficult emotions. Most groups meet virtually, though in-person options are available if there's enough demand.
Creative Healing Through Story Cloths
The program also offers a unique Story Cloths program that helps survivors process trauma through quilting, sewing and threading. This hands-on approach works well for people who find it hard to talk about their experiences in traditional therapy settings.
“Sometimes sitting in a room with a therapist or with a group of people and using language skills may not be the best way to access traumatic experiences or to express what you're feeling,” Vielbig explained. “We found that different expressive modes like art are a great way.”
ADAPT Program for People Who Cause Harm
DSVS also runs the Anger and Domestic Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) Program, which helps people who have caused harm in relationships. This 18-week group program is state-certified and uses evidence-based methods to teach healthy relationship skills.
The program serves both court-ordered participants and people who voluntarily want to change their behavior. Groups are offered separately for men and women and are available in both English and Spanish.
ADAPT has about a 75% success rate for people who complete the full program. Success means not just attending sessions but actively working on accountability and learning new relationship skills.
Unlike the free counseling services, ADAPT charges fees: $450 for Fairfax County residents and $600 for people from outside the county. Reduced fees are available for those who qualify.
24/7 Crisis Support Available
DSVS operates a 24-hour hotline at 703-360-7273 for anyone experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking. The hotline provides immediate support and connects callers to other community resources.
The program also works closely with local police departments through lethality assessment protocols. When police identify someone at high risk for domestic violence, they can immediately connect that person with DSVS staff or volunteers for crisis support.
Getting Started
People can access services by calling the 24-hour hotline at 703-360-7273 or the main DSVS number at 703-324-5730. The main number has options to connect directly with clinical services or the ADAPT program.
For life-threatening emergencies, people should always call 9-1-1 first.
The County Conversation Podcast
The “County Conversation” is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County. Listen to past episodes of “County Conversation.” To find other county podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts.
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