Did you know that more than two-thirds of children reported at least 1 traumatic event by age 16? Accidents, family trauma, loss, or extreme events are a few factors that can cause emotional trauma in children.
If you’re a parent dealing with a traumatized child, you may be unsure of what the next steps are. Even though trauma can change the pathways in your child’s brain, there are several ways that you can help them get through it and come out whole on the other side.
Keep reading the rest of this post to find out.
Identify the Traumatic Event
One of the most important steps when helping a child overcome trauma is to identify the traumatic event. It could have been physical, emotional, or mental abuse. It may also be a natural disaster, a traumatic loss, or witnessing a violent act.
Knowing which event caused the trauma can help better understand how to support the child. This will also help you lead them in their healing journey.
Take time to assess the situation and make sure to maintain an authentic connection with the child throughout the process. If possible, it is best to talk to the child about what happened to gain clarity on the matter. It is important not to push the child, as this could be counter-productive.
Talking openly with them helps to eliminate emotional barriers and create an atmosphere of safety and trust. This is especially important for those who feel that their emotions are not heard or valued. With patience and support, you can help the child manage the trauma and move forward to a happier future.
Create a Safe Environment
A safe environment is an important part of helping your child work through trauma. Start by creating a safe physical space for your child. This should be an area free of distractions and outsiders.
Consider the physical dynamics of the environment, like avoiding triggers or uncomfortable reminders of their trauma. Also, avoid chaotic environments and select a designated spot or area for them to feel safe. Make sure that there are no present dangers like chemicals or items that can be used for self-harm.
Allow them to express their emotions freely, and don’t be afraid to discuss the challenges they are facing. Show them that they are not alone in their struggles. Make sure that you tell your child they are loved, accepted, and safe.
Finally, create an environment of unconditional acceptance and avoid judgment or criticism. This can go a long way in helping a child cope with trauma.
Seek Professional Help for Your Child
Seeking professional help is essential for their well-being. Professional therapy helps a child understand and express their emotions in a healthy manner. A therapist can provide the child with a safe space to explore their difficulties and help manage the trauma.
They can also devise strategies to deal with emotional triggers and seek coping mechanisms. Professional help can also help you as a parent learn how to most effectively support your child. The child therapist can also offer support to the family in assisting the child to manage their emotions.
With the right help from a professional, a child can navigate through difficult times. They can learn to cope and heal from the traumatic experience. It is worth the investment in the short and long-term as it can set your child up to lead a happy, emotionally healthy life.
Choose the Right Type of Child Therapy
Therapy can be an effective approach to addressing and overcoming emotional trauma. It’s important to find a type of therapy your child will love and look forward to attending. Here are some types of therapies to consider:
Play Therapy
Play therapy provides a safe, controlled space where kids can express difficult emotions and resolve issues without feeling judged or shamed. With the help of a trained therapist, play therapy helps children gain insight into their thoughts and feelings. They can improve interpersonal relationships and learn new coping skills.
Through play, children can safely work through their emotions at their own pace, in their own way. They can explore a variety of topics without being exposed to any unsettling or traumatic circumstances. Play therapy can be an invaluable resource in helping them move forward and heal from their trauma.
Art Therapy
Art is a non-threatening way to express emotions they may not be able to articulate. This also gives them a way to communicate how they feel in a safe and supportive environment. It can provide a non-verbal outlet for the expression of difficult feelings and experiences.
Art therapy can be used to explore underlying causes of emotional trauma. It can help a child process feelings, memories, and emotions. This can help their self-expression and increase their emotional resilience.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of talk therapy that focuses on helping people identify negative thought patterns and become aware of how these thoughts affect their feelings and behaviors. It helps people to recognize that the way they think and feel can be changed to achieve positive outcomes. This type of therapy also provides an opportunity for people to become aware of their own behaviors and how these behaviors affect others.
With CBT, children can learn how to regulate their emotions better and take responsibility for their own actions. It will also help them better cope with difficult situations. Moreover, when a child feels better about themselves, they’ll be more confident and better able to handle challenging situations.
Overpowering Emotional Trauma
When dealing with emotional trauma, it is important to understand the importance of open communication and patience with your child. Establishing a safe and understanding environment will allow your child to work through their feelings and emotions in a healthy manner.
Encourage your child to seek professional help, as this could benefit them greatly in conquering the trauma they have experienced. Don’t hesitate to take action if you feel your child needs it- it’s the best thing to do!
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Andrea Parker is a reporter for Zobuz. She previously worked at Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Andrea is based in NYC and covers issues affecting her city. In addition to her severe coffee addiction, she’s a Netflix enthusiast, a red wine drinker, and a voracious reader.
