Trauma is subjective, meaning that it very much depends on the person experiencing the event. For children, a trauma may be interpersonal, including the sudden loss or separation from a parent. Trauma can also be something unexpected and life-threatening, such as a car accident or dog bite.

Long-term trauma of an interpersonal nature (such as domestic violence or sexual abuse) may result in something called complex trauma, which can impact a child’s development and the way in which he/she relates to others. I specialize in working with families impacted by trauma as well as complex trauma. When working with children who have experienced trauma, play is almost always a part of our work together. I often begin with psychoeducation, which helps children to understand that their response is normal. Often, children who have experienced trauma exhibit physical/somatic symptoms, such as racing heart, jumpiness, difficulty concentrating, and even freezing or difficulty breathing.

We eventually learn how to control and overcome these responses, and also identify possible triggers/ trauma reminders. Over time, the goal of trauma therapy is to create a healthier narrative (i.e. understanding it is not their fault) about the traumatic experience(s), which allows children to move forward and live safe, healthy lives. This is a very general description of my approach to trauma therapy; please note that it differs from client to client, and we will work together to determine the right approach for your child.

Feel free to contact me here to chat further!