What is FLP?

Q: What is THE FAMILY LEARNING PROGRAM?
A: The Family Learning Program (FLP) is an outpatient program offering psychological treatment and support to families who have suffered the trauma of sexual abuse. Complete services are provided for all members affected by incest or sexual abuse; including both spouses, other relatives and victims of the abuse

Q: How is FLP supported?
A: The Family Learning Program is sponsored by Florida Tech and the State of Florida Department of Health, Children's Medical Services which provides partial funding for this program. The State of Florida had much foresight in funding to help set up the Sexual Abuse Treatment Programs around Florida. We are fortunate to be a part of this mission to provide help to sexually abused children and their families. Without the state funding, Florida Tech could not provide these services.

Q: Why is funding these services important?
A: Research indicates that the whole family needs to be in treatment to most benefit the victim. Further, if treatment is not provided, siblings and victims are at risk for future sexual abuse as well as the psychological impact on their mental health, society, and future behavior. It is also evident that families are often impacted economically by incest, losing a breadwinner, making paying for psychological services almost impossible for them in these times of most need. Funding has been essential to the families for them to be able to receive services.

Q: Where is FLP located?
A: FLP has two locations to best serve the Brevard community; Community Psychological Services of Florida Tech in Melbourne and in the north/central of Brevard at the Riveredge Plaza, Cocoa Village.

Q: What kind of services are offered?
A: It offers outpatient psychological treatment and support to families in which children have been sexually abused through group, individual, family, and couples therapy.

Q: What kind of people get services at FLP?
A: Complete services are provided for all members of the family affected by incest or sexual abuse, including the non-offending caretakers, siblings, offenders, and the victims of the abuse.

Q: Tell me more about FLP.
A: FLP is the only specialized child sexual abuse treatment program in Brevard County that offers treatment groups for the entire family at a reduced rate and provides a sound, quality program based on the latest research findings. FLP is staffed by a director and supervisors with many years of experience in the specialized area of child sexual abuse along with masters level therapists who are studying for their doctorate degree in clinical psychology in Florida Tech's highly selective doctoral program. Many of these therapists also have had prior training and experience with this difficult social problem.

Q: How can FLP help me?
A: The FLP treatment program can considerably reduce the long-term destructive effects of victimization such as teen pregnancy, depression and suicide, crime, violence, substance abuse, suffering, and mental disorders. Effective treatment will have tremendous economic impact as it may reduce further victimization of other individuals. Without treatment, offenders may re-offend or victims may engage in reactive sexual abuse.

Q: What is the history of FLP?
 FLP, was founded in 1991 by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D., of the clinical psychology faculty in the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts, as a treatment center unique to Florida Tech to not only serve community clients but also to provide ideal training for students working for their doctorate in psychology. 

Administration and Supervision: Until her retirement in August, 2007, Dr. Baker directed and supervised the program with the help of 7 different licensed psychologist supervisors over the years: Doctors Radhika Krishnamurthy, Psy.D., Sara Howze, Psy.D., Nancy Wenk, Psy.D., Alli Nevin, Psy.D., Carol Philpot Jensen, Psy.D., Modesto Hevia, Psy.D., and Donna Miller-Brown, Psy.D.  Paula Wolfteich, Ph.D., is currently director of the FLP. Seventeen graduate students gained valuable experience leading the team as associate directors, and numerous others took pivotal roles in training, publicity, community interaction and outreach, clinic coordinators, and helping the FLP team accomplish its goals. In addition, thirteen office managers and staff were hired over the years to aid in the smooth functioning of the program and outreach to the community.

Therapists: In the 16 years Dr. Baker directed the program, over 175 advanced Graduate Students with masters degrees or better and co-therapists who might be just be beginning their doctoral program each worked in the program an average of 18 months with the child, teen and adult clients gaining valuable experience in intake assessment and group, individual, couples and family therapy. Six undergraduate clinical interns and 8 graduate students worked at least one semester as volunteers aiding in the sibling groups.  Four doctorate and one masters level therapist also were hired at various times over the years to model clinical excellence as co-therapists for the trainees.
Clients: During these years 1991-2007 over 1000 clients have taken advantage of FLP's psychological services including over 600 children being served.

For more information Please Contact:

Paula M. Wolfteich, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist
(321)-674-8104

School of Psychology
Florida Institute of Technology
150 W. University Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32901

Fax: (321) 674-7105.

email: pwolfteich@fit.edu