Phoenix Rising

The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Program (CSEC), Phoenix Rising, is where children who have experienced abuse and exploitation find trust, safety and security.

The Phoenix Rising program offers robust services on a continuum that include crisis stabilization, psychoeducation, experiential approaches, and group, individual as well as family psychotherapy. Services are delivered in-person or via telehealth to increase engagement.

Children that have been treated as commercial and sexual objects generally lack a sense of self, are unable to assess dangerous/risky situations, develop unhealthy attachments to others, and experience life-long effects associated with the sequela of the trauma.

Many CSEC engage in criminal activity for survival and end up incarcerated at the Department of Juvenile Justice. Many are unaware of their victimization status given the lack of societal knowledge and understanding of their lived experiences.

The Phoenix Rising program offers these children an opportunity to develop healthy emotional coping strategies, improve decision making processes, and increase self-worth and value, and heal from the effects of trauma.

There has been an exponential increase in the number of commercial sexual exploitation of children in the last few years.

These children are at risk of developing or have developed CPTSD due to repeated exposure to abuse, exploitation, and substance abuse by multiple individuals in their lives. 

There is a high comorbidity between CPTSD and other psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance use.

Serenity Counseling is determined to promote community awareness of CPTSD among commercially and sexually exploited children, and provide necessary treatment.

Refer a Child.

All services are offered in both English and Spanish.

We welcome referrals through a variety of sources – parents/caregivers, self-referrals, educators, health professionals, government agencies, and community organizations.

Self-referrals are encouraged to call our main office.