Parents shape a child’s world, yet certain experiences often overlooked leave lasting imprints on mental and emotional well-being. Instances like children not being held by parents, constant care by nannies, or parents being physically present but emotionally distant due to smartphone distractions can contribute to childhood trauma.
It marks the point where trauma therapies come into play. The right trauma therapy helps children heal and cope with the effects of traumatic experiences.
In this exploration, we’ll look into minor traumas’ impact on a child’s emotional and mental health and how therapeutic interventions pave the way for healing.
What is Childhood Trauma?
Children are sometimes exposed to emotionally painful traumatic events that have a drastic impact on their mental and emotional well-being. It can occur due to:
- Child Maltreatment
- Homelessness
- Loss of a loved one
- Bullying
- Not attending to a child’s Emotional Needs
- Fear of Separation from Parents
Signs of Lingering Trauma in Children
- Unfulfilling Relationships
- Lack of Trust
- Mood Changes
- Emotional Instability
- Trouble with Concentration
- Aggression
Therapies for Addressing Childhood Trauma
Play Therapy
Play therapy offers a coping mechanism for children to overcome traumatic pasts through the natural form of play. The therapy is less invasive and enables children to communicate and express openly. It fosters physical, emotional, social, physiological, psychological, and cognitive development.
Moreover, the therapy also regulates emotions and helps children deal with unresolved trauma. Play therapy is directive and non-directive. Directive therapy enables therapists to set clear goals in mind to deal with trauma in children. However, non-directive therapy leads therapists to focus on the deep-rooted issues.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a unique therapeutic intervention beneficial for children dealing with trauma. The therapy focuses on the mind and the body for adaptive coping strategies, which empowers trauma survivors to thrive in their daily lives. The therapy focuses on dealing with PTSD, stress disorder, and trauma-related issues. The various art therapy techniques used are coloring, drawing, finger painting, photography, and sculpting. Art therapy helps children interpret, express, and resolve their emotions. It significantly reduces trauma symptoms in children and decreases depression.
Trauma Focussed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy addresses the emotional needs of the children. It helps children deal with the post-traumatic stress and mood disorders that arise from abuse or grief. The therapists teach parents better parenting skills to safeguard their children. The overall counseling in trauma-focused behavioral therapy lasts between seven to 25 sessions.
The therapy helps children experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties. The trauma-sensitive approach improves the post-traumatic stress symptoms in children with several therapeutic interventions.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing therapy reduces the PTSD symptoms in children that arise from various traumatic events like child abuse, combat, sexual assault, or natural disasters. The therapy helps children learn the way to handle upsetting thoughts.
CPT usually takes 12 weekly sessions of 60 to 90 minutes for about 3 months. The children can use a structured process to reframe trauma experiences that foster healing and resilience.
Narrative Exposure Therapy
Narrative Exposure Therapy is helpful for children suffering from multiple traumas as a result of political, cultural, or social forces. It focuses on constructing a coherent narrative of the children’s life experiences associated with traumatic events.
The therapists make children describe their thoughts and physiological responses to relieve emotions. Narrative Exposure Therapy creates a timeline of the children’s lives by emphasizing positive experiences alongside the traumatic ones. Children narrate their stories in a structured way. The written biography is then presented to the children at the end of treatment. It leads to a sense of empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity.
How Do Trauma Therapies Work For Parent-Child Relationships?
Trauma therapies tackle the distinctive challenges of childhood trauma by establishing a foundation for healthier family dynamics through trust building. They create a safer, more supportive environment for children to express emotions and communicate effectively.
- Trauma therapies focus on building trust between the child and the parent.
- Therapies help both parents and children to express their feelings and concerns openly.
- Therapies help prevent emotional suppression, which fosters a more open and supportive family dynamic.
- Trauma therapies assist in identifying triggers that may lead to emotional distress and help parents respond more empathetically to their child’s needs.
Wrapping Up
If your child is dealing with the trauma effects, parents must encourage their children at home and seek guidance from healthcare professionals.
Trauma-focused therapies help children navigate and overcome the challenges associated with traumatic experiences. It assists children in understanding and processing their emotions, developing coping mechanisms, and fostering resilience. By addressing the root causes, parents can contribute significantly to a child’s emotional well-being and create a nurturing space for the child’s healing journey.