Children deal with trauma through dissociation or hyperarousal – these responses are designed to keep themselves safe, yet they are labeled negatively. It can be difficult to understand their behavior because when children are unable to achieve a sense of control and safety they become helpless – which they deal with through compliance or defiance. If they are unable to grasp what is going on and unable to change it, they go immediately from (fearful) stimulus to (fight/flight/freeze) response without being able to learn from the experience. Subsequently, when they are exposed to reminders of a trauma (sensations, physiological states, images, sounds, situations) they tend to behave as if they were traumatized all over again. These efforts to minimize the threat and regulate emotional distress are often seen as problem behaviors. Unless caregivers, teachers, therapists understand the nature of such re-enactments they are liable to label the child as “oppositional”, “rebellious”, “unmotivated”, and “antisocial”.
Childhood trauma can have a profound and long-lasting impact on a person's life. The effects of trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, including:
Trauma therapy for children is an important and effective way to help children who have experienced trauma to heal and recover. By providing a safe and supportive environment and using a variety of techniques, trauma therapists can help children to develop the skills and strategies they need to cope with their experiences and move forward in a healthy way.
Do not hesitate to call us at 772 837 5988 if you have been experiencing an emotional trauma. When you're ready to talk, we're here to listen.
We'll make sure to provide you the freedom and safety you need to talk about and process your trauma. Working with our qualified counsellors and therapists, we will assist you in discovering the appropriate therapy alternatives that you feel comfortable with.
