Trauma is an individual’s response to a deeply disturbing or distressing event. When your child experiences trauma in any form, you can feel hopeless and powerless. Understanding childhood trauma and knowing what to do after your child has disclosed it can be key to helping you both cope with the unimaginable thoughts and emotions you are experiencing during this difficult time.
Childhood trauma can come in many different forms. This includes:
Physical abuse- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
- Psychological abuse
- Bullying
- Community violence (gangs, shootings, robberies, etc)
- Natural disasters
- Accidents or near-death experiences
- Witnessing domestic or intimate partner violence
- Traumatic grief and loss
When your child discloses trauma, provide calming support
As a parent, the first thing you need to do when you learn of your child’s trauma is to remain as calm as possible and assure them that it’s not their fault. In those first few moments, your child will be looking to you to provide a safe and non-judgemental space for them to tell you what happened. They will be looking for reassurance, support, and love as they process their thoughts and emotions.
If your child discloses trauma to you, it’s important to gather the facts, but let them tell you what happened in their own words. Don’t try to guess or fill in the blanks for them. It’s extremely important to get the whole story. Then, disclose the abuse to the police. They will want to do a forensic interview and will determine how to proceed.
Childhood Trauma Treatment and PTSD Treatment can help your child cope
As a parent, it’s completely natural and understandable that you would be filled with worry, guilt, anxiety, and sadness over what’s happened to your child. But, I want you to know that children are naturally resilient. With the proper help, your child can overcome what happened to them and the symptoms of PTSD or trauma reactions they are experiencing.
Common reactions to trauma and PTSD symptoms in children include:
- Showing sudden and dramatic changes in behavior at home or at school
- Withdrawal
- Trouble concentrating or being easily distracted
- Extreme sadness
- Signs of depression, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts
- Irritability or outbursts
- Unplanned physical injuries
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Poor self-esteem or self-confidence
- Wetting the bed when potty trained
- Hypervigilance: always being on-guard for possible threats
- Avoidance of certain people or places
- Demonstrates unusual sexual knowledge for their age
- Has trouble forming relationships with peers or adults or attaches too easily to strangers and people they don’t know
Evidence-based & effective childhood trauma treatment will help your child move forward and deal with the symptoms of PTSD
Fortunately, there are specialized types of trauma treatment that are designed to help children cope with these symptoms and live healthy and happy lives. Working with a child therapist who specializes in trauma is important. When a child can develop a secure and trusting relationship with a therapist they will be comfortable discussing things that cause them distress and will be willing to learn techniques to cope with their trauma. Two common forms of trauma treatment for children include play therapy and trauma-focused CBT. The type of childhood trauma treatment that your therapist uses will greatly depend on the age and developmental level of your child.
Trauma-focused CBT
Trauma-focused CBT or TF-CBT is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy. It iis used to help children reduce the negative and distressing thoughts and emotions they have as a result of experiencing trauma. This form of therapy addresses the negative thoughts and beliefs the child has. For example, they may think it’s their fault or that they’re not good enough. Then, will help them replace these negative thoughts (cognitions) with ones that are accurate. Their trauma therapist will also work with them to learn positive coping techniques to use when they feel triggered or upset.
Play Therapy
Play Therapy is a widely used trauma treatment for children under the age of 13. Children at this age do not have the skills needed to express what happened to them or the things they are feeling. Their natural language is play. So, we use play in trauma treatment to understand what occurred and help the child heal.
Begin childhood trauma treatment and PTSD treatment in Atlanta, GA
If your child has experienced trauma the child therapists at Wellview Counseling can support you both on your journey towards healing and moving forward in your life. Your child does not have to live with what happened to them and suffer in pain. Childhood trauma treatment can help. Follow these steps to begin counseling in Roseville, GA:
- Reach out to our counseling clinic and schedule a consultation call with one of our therapists,
- Meet with an online therapist to ask any questions you may have about online therapy at Wellview Counseling
- Begin online counseling in Rosewell and take care of your mental health while practicing social distancing!
Other Services Offered at Wellview Counseling
Wellview Counseling is an Atlanta area therapy center that offers many counseling services to help you or your loved ones find healing and growth. Our therapy services include play therapy, child counseling, individual counseling, social skills groups for kids, therapy for postpartum anxiety and depression, anxiety treatment, trauma and PTSD treatment, chronic illness counseling, family therapy, and positive discipline parent education opportunities. Contact our Roswell, GA mental health clinic to learn more about online therapy and the many ways we can help you or your loved one.
About the Author: Ashley Bobo, LCSW
Ashley Bobo, LCSW provides individual and family therapy to help with anxiety, depression, postpartum depression & anxiety, parent coaching, and other mental health concerns.
If you live in the Atlanta area (or anywhere in Georgia) and would like to begin counseling services for your child or anyone in your family, give us a call at 678-288-6221 or email info@wellviewcounseling.com.