Business Details
27 Years
experience
Building Resilience in Children and Families Through Trauma-Informed Care
Since 1999, we have been dedicated to transforming lives through child and family mental health services in Palm Beach County. Our approach combines evidence-based practices like Play Therapy with trauma-informed care to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and promote resilience. Launched in 2016, our Fighting ACEs Initiative adopts a public health framework to prevent trauma and build nurturing communities. We offer gold-standard interventions for children, teens, and families facing behavioral challenges, loss, or trauma, supported by research-backed methodologies and an interdisciplinary team. Our Care Coordination Program addresses socioeconomic barriers like housing and food insecurity, while our KidSafe Program educates over 60,000 children on sexual abuse prevention.With a 2025 Impact 100 grant, we introduced a mobile unit to expand access to underserved neighborhoods. Our leadership, including President & CEO Rene Layman and Medical Director Shannon Fox-Levine, collaborates with partners like the Lighthouse ArtCenter and Palm Beach Pediatrics to deliver holistic care. We emphasize caregiver education, community partnerships, and innovative programs like ArtClub and Infant Mental Health to foster emotional safety and long-term well-being.
Services
Play Therapy
Infant Mental Health Program
Care Coordination
KidSafe Program
ACEs Toolkit
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- 25 years of experience in child mental health since 1999
- Evidence-based Play Therapy and trauma-informed care practices
- Mobile unit providing free services to high-need neighborhoods
- Community partnerships with Palm Beach Pediatrics and Lighthouse ArtCenter
- National recognition for ACEs prevention and sexual abuse education programs
Associations and certifications
- Association for Play Therapy
Services
Play Therapy
Play Therapy uses children's natural language of play to address trauma, behavioral challenges, and emotional difficulties. Our registered therapists employ evidence-based methods like Child-Centered Play Therapy to develop problem-solving skills and social connections. Services integrate with family involvement and other clinical approaches for optimal outcomes.
Infant Mental Health Program
Specialized support for infants and toddlers (birth-5 years) focuses on caregiver relationships and early brain development. Therapists address attachment issues, trauma, and developmental challenges through nurturing parent-child interactions. Services include home visits and school-based interventions to build emotional foundations.
KidSafe Program
KidSafe empowers children to recognize unsafe situations and adults to prevent abuse. Our curriculum, approved by Palm Beach School District, teaches safety skills through interactive workshops. Professional trainings for educators and healthcare providers reinforce community-wide child protection strategies.
Care Coordination
Care Coordination connects families to housing, food, and health resources alongside mental health treatment. Our team partners with Palm Beach Pediatrics to address socioeconomic barriers. Services include psychoeducational groups and advocacy for systemic change in underserved communities.
ACEs Toolkit
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Toolkit provides community education on trauma prevention and resilience-building. Resources include workshops, video libraries, and white papers on public health approaches to ACEs. Programs train professionals to implement trauma-informed practices across sectors.
People
Rene E. Layman
President and CEO
Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 30 years of experience in child and family health. Advocate for trauma-informed services and equity in mental healthcare delivery. Leads strategic initiatives to expand prevention-focused community programs.
Shannon Fox-Levine
Medical Director
Pediatrician and owner of Palm Beach Pediatrics. Developed educational tools for mental health treatment in primary care. Specializes in trauma-informed care for children and adolescent patients over 10 years of collaboration.
Lauren Scirrotto
Chief Program Officer
Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 15+ years managing infant mental health programs. Specializes in maternal mental health and caregiver support. Promotes evidence-based practices for early childhood development and family stability.
Cherie Benjoseph
Director, National Outreach and Education
Founder of KidSafe Foundation with 15 years of child sexual abuse prevention expertise. Develops public health frameworks for safety education. Provides training for professionals and caregivers on abuse awareness and response protocols.
Dominika Nolan
Senior Director, Development and Events
Licensed mental health counselor and EMDR-certified therapist. Focuses on clinical supervision and play therapy training. Facilitates Circle of Security parenting programs and coordinates community mental health outreach initiatives.
Questions
How do I schedule an appointment?
Submit an online request form or call 561-244-9499. Our intake team will assess needs and connect you to the appropriate program or therapist.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept Medicaid plans like Humana Health and commercial providers including United Healthcare. Sliding-scale options available for uninsured families during the prescreening process.
What areas do you serve?
Primary service area includes Palm Beach County and Martin County with office locations in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Lake Worth.
How does the mobile unit work?
The Impact 100-funded mobile unit brings mental health education and services directly to high-need neighborhoods in Palm Beach County. Services include workshops, screenings, and on-site therapeutic activities.
What age groups do you treat?
Infants to teens through specialized programs: birth-5 years in our Infant Mental Health Program and older children/teens through the Child and Family Center.
How does your Play Therapy approach work?
Therapists use toys and play to help children express emotions and develop coping skills. Sessions incorporate evidence-based models like Trauma-Focused CBT while involving caregivers in the healing process.
Videos
