THe Refuge CIRCLE OF CARE™

The Refuge Circle of Care™ is our holistic model of services for healing and restoration. Some people refer to this as a continuum of care, but we like how the circle analogy appropriately and sensitively surrounds each girl with the services she needs for her individualized healing.

After settling into life at The Refuge Ranch, each resident meets with her therapeutic team and advocates to create a Master Treatment Plan. Together, they use the components of The Refuge Circle of Care to map out goals individualized to her growth. As she progresses in therapy and school and gains autonomy, she moves into a cottage with peers who have mastered similar skills. Her immersion level in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), group, individual and equine therapy deepens as her healing journey progresses. While learning life skills, coping techniques and developing healthy relationships, she creates her autonomous value system and a holistic identity. By the time she prepares to leave The Refuge Ranch, she knows what love and nurture look like; she has learned to define herself and not be defined by life events.

Medical & PHYSICAL

Every girl who has experienced the complex trauma of repeated sexual abuse by multiple offenders needs ongoing medical care. In partnership with many multi-disciplinary medical groups and specially trained in-house medical staff, all girls receive compassionate medical care for proper physical healing. In addition to helping make their bodies healthier, we also want to help them become physically stronger. An on-site workout room, organized outdoor sports, and walking/jogging trails help promote healthy living and stress release as they heal.

Psychological

On-site psychiatric and psychotherapeutic services are provided in collaboration with Dell Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry. Services include diagnostic assessment, psychiatric treatment planning, psychopharmacological and evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment. Every week, girls living at The Refuge Ranch attend two individual therapy sessions and two group therapy sessions with in-house licensed therapists specializing in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and evidence-based therapy for PTSD and trauma. Additionally, our entire staff is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and receives other on-going professional training specific to the care of child survivors of sex trafficking. To round out the holistic approach we provide equine and art programs, farming and agricultural activities, gardening, trauma-sensitive yoga, dance, music, etc., plus daily enrichment options for self-regulation and body awareness.

Spiritual

As a faith-based organization, our spiritual guidance with the girls starts with the Christian values of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Our spiritual program is led by a husband-and-wife chaplain team who provide mentorship and spiritual guidance to the girls and staff. While we are a faith-based organization, we do not force our beliefs on any of the girls or staff. We always operate in an accepting, loving, non-judgmental manner. We have a non-discriminatory policy, and we provide care to all the girls regardless of their race and religion.

EDUCATIONAL

The Refuge Ranch is honored to be chosen as a site for a Trinity Charter School. With this addition to The Refuge Circle of Care™, the girls are ensured the opportunity to re engage their education, increasing their chance for future success. By being part of the Trinity Charter Schools, girls at The Refuge are taught by highly skilled faculty, staff and administrators, all required to hold special education certification in addition to subject-area certification, and training in trauma informed care specific to child survivors of trafficking. Once the girls graduate with their high school diplomas, they have the opportunity to enroll in Austin Community College on-line classes.

Social & Relational

Participating in activities outside The Refuge Ranch and developing community connections can be beneficial to the healing process. A wide variety of social activities are available when appropriate, such as educational field trips, personal shopping outings, group events and more. Although each resident has her own room and bathroom, we put an emphasis on learning how to engage in positive peer and adult relationships, including healthy conflict resolution and assertiveness training. 

Independent living & job skills

We understand that the girls recovering at The Refuge Ranch are eager to live on their own one day and they will need a wide variety of skills to be successful. While in treatment, there are many opportunities to learn job and independent living skills through educational and/or professional experiences, including cooking, budgeting, healthy work ethics, money management, interviewing, resume writing, team work, leadership and general professionalism. Our goal is to introduce and incorporate “normal” teenage activities into our program based on each girl’s interests and dreams.

community connections, family, & RELATIVES