Northwest Assistance Ministries and our Family Violence Center (FVC) are saddened by the recent death of Betty Love, LCSW, RPT. Betty joined the FVC as a contract therapist in 2004 and continued until her recent illness. At that time, she worked with hundreds of children and adolescents whose families had experienced domestic violence. Using a combination of art and play therapy Ms. Love would meet these little ones in our specially equipped playroom. In that space, she was able to help them find the words to describe what they had seen, help provide understanding, and most importantly start their healing; all while the children played with toys or board games, colored, punched a punching bag, painted or sat quietly in a rocking chair. 

A favorite story was a young client of about 6.  His family had been torn apart by the violence and he was acting out regularly. On his first visit, he would not even leave the waiting room (or his mother’s side) for a session with Betty.  By week three, he was holding her hand as they traversed the hallways. By week five, you could hear Betty saying, “Hey wait for me,” as he joyfully galloped ahead toward the playroom. That is just one of dozens of favorite stories. Betty had a passion for these children and a magical skill for working with them. We will miss her magic and her smile in our hallways.