Department of Family Services – Domestic and Sexual Violence Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
703-324-5730 TTY 711
12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building, Floor 7, Suite 740
Fairfax, VA 22035
Keesha Coke
Interim Director

Department Resources

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Counseling Services

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Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273; TTY 711

exit website button circle  SAFETY ALERT – If you are in danger, call or text 911.

Counseling Services

Counseling ServicesDomestic and Sexual Violence Services offers counseling services.

If you or a family member have experienced domestic or sexual violence, stalking, teen dating violence, or human trafficking, one of our trained counselors can offer you short-term services at no charge. We offer individual, family, and group counseling.

Counseling is also available for people who are secondary survivors – parents, siblings, friends, or other loved ones who have been impacted by violence. 

Counseling can help you feel safe, cope, grow, find support, and talk through your experiences.

All DSVS women’s groups welcome transgender women and any gender nonbinary persons who prefer a women-specific group. To enroll through a private 50-minute intake, please reach out via email or call us 703-324-5730 and choose the option for Counseling Services. 

Note: Counseling is available in person and via teletherapy.

Free, short-term individual and family counseling services are now available via teletherapy.

What is Teletherapy?

  • Teletherapy is face-to-face counseling over video call.
  • Teletherapy sessions are scheduled in advance and happen in real-time.
  • It is private and secure.
  • It has the same benefits as counseling in the office.

Plus, it's easier for people who have:

  • Difficult schedules.
  • Transportation issues.
  • Childcare issues.
  • Health concerns.

Learn more about teletherapy.

Call us at 703-324-5730 and choose the option for Counseling Services. 

This is a free, confidential group for adult women who are currently experiencing or have previously experienced domestic abuse (physical, emotional, or other types). The group is led by a trained therapist specializing in domestic violence and trauma. The group promotes:

  • Safety and empowerment for self and family.
  • Understanding and healing from abuse and trauma.
  • Supportive connection with other survivors.

This eight-session group is offered several times per year in English by telehealth video call.

 

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This is a free, confidential group for adults who identify as women who have experienced sexual violence. The group is led by a trained therapist specializing in sexual violence and trauma. The group promotes healing from sexual violence and trauma. Participants learn how to:

  • Cope with trauma symptoms.
  • Express thoughts and feelings in a safe setting.
  • Draw connection and support from other women.

This 10-session group is offered several times per year in English and Spanish by telehealth video call.

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This is a free confidential group for adult women who have experienced gender-based violence. The group is led by a trained specialist in art therapy and trauma. The group promotes healing from gender-based violence and trauma. Participants learn how to:

  • Cope with trauma symptoms.
  • Express thoughts and feelings in a visual medium.
  • Draw connections from other women.

This 12-week group is offered about twice per year in person in Fairfax in English and Spanish, and all languages are welcome with interpreters available.

This is a free, confidential group for adult women who have experienced domestic and/or sexual violence. The group is led by a licensed therapist specializing in working with trauma survivors and differs from other groups offered by DSVS in that the focus is on skill building rather than sharing personal experiences. Participants will learn how to:

  • Utilize mindfulness to aid trauma recovery
  • Increase interpersonal effectiveness
  • Identify, understand, and manage emotions
  • Cope with difficult emotions and situations

This four-session group is offered several times per year in English and Spanish by telehealth video call. 

Frequently Asked Questions

You or a family member must have experienced domestic or sexual violence or stalking.

You must live in, work in, or have been abused or assaulted in Fairfax County or the Cities of Fairfax or Falls Church.

Children are eligible for individual counseling services.

Because counseling is short-term, it is not a good fit for:

  • People with a serious mental illness without other psychiatric care or if the condition could make our services unhelpful or harmful.
  • People in other counseling or treatments that could duplicate or conflict with our services unless services are coordinated.
  • People with a history of sexual abuse by a parent or family member (incest).
  • Teens who have been paid or sold for sex or porn (sex trafficking).

We meet in person in one of many locations throughout Fairfax County based on your zip code. We are also available for virtual appointments. 

Our goal is to return your call within two business days.

If you receive a voice message from us, please call back promptly so we can provide services.

Counseling can start within a few weeks or sooner from the time you speak with a counselor. When there are many requests, wait times may be longer.

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