The philosophical basis of empowerment counseling assumes that victims/survivors can determine what is best for their lives when offered support, advocacy, resources, and information. As the power between helpers and victims/survivors becomes equalized, the competence of victims is affirmed and they become able to acknowledge their power and authority to act. Empowerment counseling includes exploring the societal roots of abuse, and victims/survivors are encouraged to assist other victims, at both the individual and systems level, as a way of affirming their own strength. The goal of empowerment counseling is not only to return control to victims/survivors, but to involve survivors in assisting other victims and building a collective strength.

Victims are viewed as facing a situational problem rather than as individuals with predisposing psychological issues. The counseling component is not therapeutic because they are not sick, just in need of safety and help to deal with the effects of abuse and in need of support and information about the dynamics of abuse and community resources available. Hope Center views the staff/program participant relationship as reciprocal between equals, where complete confidentiality is provided. This philosophy guides all program services.

Hope Center has always recognized that victims of domestic and sexual violence are in trauma, and we have adopted a trauma-informed care approach. While empowerment helps survivors regain their voice and sense of control and capability, a trauma-informed care approach assists victims of all types of trauma, especially children, in re-establishing a sense of safety and restoration of power. This approach relates to trauma as an experience, not as a diagnosis. Through this approach, we seek to help victims/survivors reframe experiences and memories in ways they can now manage and use as a resource and begin to view themselves as survivors/thrivers versus victims. This approach changes the paradigm from one that asks, “What’s wrong with you?” to one that asks, “What has happened to you?”

Trauma-specific interventions are designed to address the consequences of trauma in the individual and to facilitate healing. Programs generally recognize the following:
The survivor’s need to be respected, informed, connected, and hopeful regarding their own recovery;
The interrelation between trauma and symptoms of trauma (e.g., substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety);
The need to work in a collaborative way with survivors, family and friends of the survivor, and other human services agencies in a manner that will empower survivors.