What does trauma treatment look like with a child?
First conclude all the legal work, making sure that the necessary reports are in and forensic examinations and interviews have been completed. Tell the child the therapist has worked with children who have been touched or hurt on their bodies or on their private parts...
The effects of trauma
Imagine an earthquake hitting a city. The city was beautiful and functional before, now it is mostly rubble. There may be areas that are unaffected, but it’s largely changed forever, it will never be exactly the same. Trauma has a shattering effect, it can break you....
Do I really need to face my trauma?
How can that possibly be an important thing to do when it’s so scary? Trauma involves danger. Trauma happens in the context of danger, and the result is often maladaptive processing of information. When we are in a time of danger, our brain doesn’t fully function, our...
What is Trauma and why does it affect some more than others?
The word Trauma is used so lightly these days. I have referred to many incidents as traumatic myself, that certainly don’t meet the true definition. The Diagnostic Manual for Mental Health defines trauma as “an event that involves actual or threatened death or...
Will I Experience Trauma After This COVOID-19 Crisis?
Will this COVOID-19 Crisis Bring Trauma? Many of us are concerned about getting traumatized by this crisis. People who have already experienced PTSD in their lives are more susceptible to additional trauma, while many of us have no prior experience with it and are...
Is It Okay to Challenge Yourself During a Time of Crisis?
My answer to this is: Only deal with what challenges are truly needed during a time of crisis. The only thing absolutely necessary right now is getting through this time period! This is your foremost job, to survive this crisis and to come through it as well as you...
Discussing Fear and Family Preparedness During COVID-19
Is fear normal right now? What hard conversations should we be having with our families? To answer those questions - Yes, I'd be surprised if you weren't at least a little fearful with all that's been going on. We should all be concerned about COVID-19, not only for...
Withdrawn Strategies for Coping in Crisis
While some deal with stress and crisis by using Anxious Coping Strategies, some go in a different direction still, and use more withdrawn coping strategies. People with withdrawn strategies are able to compartmentalize and bury their feelings deep inside, so much so...
Anxious Strategies for Coping in Crisis
In our last post, we identified Secure Coping Characteristics. While some may fall under that category, chances are yourself or someone else in your family naturally utilizes anxious coping strategies during stressful and scary situations. Those who use anxious...