Services | Selah Center of Hope

Services for Foster, Kinship, Adoptive and Special Needs individuls and families.

At Selah Hope Foundation, our therapy services are uniquely designed for children, teens, and families navigating foster care, kinship care, adoption, and special needs. We provide trauma-informed, attachment-focused support that addresses the complex challenges of loss, transition, and identity, while celebrating each client’s resilience. Our therapists integrate evidence-based approaches such as EMDR, DBT Skills, and Animal Assisted Therapy work to help youth heal from past trauma, strengthen relationships, and build a secure sense of belonging. Most importantly, Selah is a place where you can feel seen, valued, and truly at home—a place where you belong. Whether supporting a child with special needs, guiding adoptive parents through the joys and struggles of new family connections, or helping foster families create stability, our goal is to empower every individual and family to thrive with hope, healing, and connection.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing ( EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly researched, evidence-based approach that helps people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. When something overwhelming happens, memories can become “stuck,” leaving painful thoughts, feelings, or body sensations that resurface long after the event. EMDR uses gentle bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, sounds, or tapping—while you safely recall aspects of the memory.

This process helps your brain reprocess and release the memory so it no longer carries the same emotional intensity. You remain in control throughout the session; there is no need to describe every detail of the event. EMDR can reduce anxiety, flashbacks, and negative self-beliefs, creating space for new, empowering perspectives.

Whether you are coping with a single traumatic incident, chronic stress, or long-standing patterns from childhood, EMDR offers a pathway toward relief, resilience, and renewed hope.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Skills (DBT Skills)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, build healthy relationships, and create a life worth living. DBT skills empower you with practical tools to handle everyday challenges and overwhelming situations with greater balance and confidence.

DBT focuses on four key skill areas:

Mindfulness – Learning to stay present, aware, and grounded in the moment.
Distress Tolerance – Navigating crises and painful emotions without making things worse.
Emotion Regulation – Understanding and managing strong feelings before they feel unmanageable.
Interpersonal Effectiveness – Communicating clearly, setting boundaries, and maintaining healthy connections.

These skills are taught in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment and can benefit anyone struggling with emotional intensity, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, or past trauma. By practicing DBT skills, you can find stability, improve relationships, and build a more fulfilling, meaningful life.

Internal Family Systems

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Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a gentle, evidence-based approach that views the mind as made up of different “parts,” each with its own feelings, beliefs, and roles. Sometimes these parts carry pain from past experiences or take on protective behaviors that can create inner conflict. IFS helps you develop a compassionate relationship with these parts, guided by your core “Self,” which is calm, curious, and wise. Through this process, you can heal wounded parts, release burdens, and restore balance, allowing your true Self to lead with confidence and clarity.

Use of Art, Music, and Narration in Therapy

Art, music, and storytelling can open doors to healing that words alone sometimes cannot. These approaches invite you to express thoughts and emotions in non-verbal and deeply personal ways, helping you process experiences, reduce stress, and discover new insights. Whether it’s painting to explore feelings, using music to connect with memories, or sharing your life story to make meaning from past events, creative therapies provide safe and empowering paths toward growth. You don’t need any artistic or musical background—just a willingness to explore and let your inner voice be heard.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based approach that helps you understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By identifying unhelpful patterns and learning new ways of thinking, CBT empowers you to manage anxiety, depression, and everyday stress with greater clarity and confidence. In sessions, you’ll work collaboratively with your therapist to set goals, practice coping strategies, and build skills that create lasting change. CBT is structured, solution-focused, and tailored to your unique needs, offering tools you can use both in therapy and in daily life to support long-term growth and well-being.

Animal Assisted Therapy

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) incorporates the calming presence of a trained therapy animal to support emotional healing and personal growth. Animals offer unconditional acceptance and comfort, creating a safe space to explore feelings, build trust, and reduce stress. Whether through gentle interaction, play, or simply sharing quiet moments, working with a therapy animal can lower anxiety, improve mood, and enhance social connection. This approach is especially helpful for individuals coping with trauma, anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges, providing a unique and nurturing path toward healing.