What Happens when you come to Dee Norton?

At the first moment of concern, you have a safe, friendly place to turn for help. You can get advice by calling us at (843) 723-3600.

• At Dee Norton, people receive different services based on their situation. Our intake staff will work with your caregivers and other adults to decide which services are the best fit.
• Your first appointment will likely include a "forensic interview." You will sit with a specially-trained interviewer, whose job is to give people the space to talk about things that might have happened to them. The most important part of their job is to listen non-judgmentally and gather as much information as possible about what happened to you to help keep you safe.
• You may receive a medical examination at the Center by a child abuse specialist from the Medical University of South Carolina. A head-to-toe physical examination helps to assure that your body is normal and healthy. The examination may include photographs and testing for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. Your medical provider will talk with you every step of the way. You can choose to accept or decline any recommended medical care.
• A mental health assessment may be needed. This assessment gives you space to talk about how you're thinking, how you’re feeling, and how your experiences may have impacted your life. A therapist will have this conversation with you and your caregiver, both separately and together, and you'll both complete some questionnaires. They'll also talk with you about what you think you need to be able to move forward.
• After the mental health assessment, the therapist may make a recommendation for therapy or other services that can help you move forward.
• There is a team of people from different organizations who are working together to make sure you and your family are going to be okay. This might include your school, a detective, a DSS worker, your doctor, your therapist, your forensic interviewer, or others. Part of Dee Norton's role is to coordinate with your team about what you and your family need and how to best meet those needs. Every week we get the team together during a Multi-Disciplinary Team meeting to ensure we're all doing our part to meet your needs. Your therapist, interviewer, or advocate will talk to you and your caregiver about who will be in attendance at your team's meetings and what information will be shared.
• Have other questions? You can always call us at (843) 723-3600 and ask to speak to an advocate or therapist.