All of Life Span’s services are guided by three fundamental principles: Victim Safety, Perpetrator Accountability, and Client Empowerment.  These principles influence every interaction with every client. 

Life Span is deliberate in describing our counseling services as supportive and educational.  Life Span believes that when given correct information, and a safe environment to ask questions and learn about resources, any client can become his/her own best advocate, and develop a safety plan that works.  Life Span does not provide therapy.  The reason for this distinction is that the word therapy is borrowed from a medical model that diagnoses a physical or emotional disease or disorder which requires cure or treatment.  We do not consider abused victims to be sick, or crazy, or disabled.   In situations where clients may need more intensive addiction or mental health services, we will refer to other community agencies that have demonstrated expertise in these issues. 

Life Span provides services to victims only.  We do not serve perpetrators.  If any client or caller inquires about services for perpetrators, we will make referrals to competent providers of perpetrator services who meet State of Illinois guidelines for such services.