Children, Adolescents, and Isolated Traumatic Events: Counseling Considerations for Couples and Family Counselors

Abstract

This article presents considerations for marriage and family counselors assisting children and adolescent clients who have witnessed or survived an isolated traumatic event or who have family members who have witnessed or survived an isolated traumatic event. Direct emotional outcomes in children and teens related to isolated traumatic events, such as separation anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, also are presented. In addition, specific clinical interventions—including the use of play therapy, psychoeducational groups, and cognitive-behavioral therapy—are presented as specific methods for assisting children and teenagers coping with traumatic events in a variety of settings.

Childhood Trauma and Attachment

“…The limitations include cultural considerations, a parent’s willingness to take their child to therapy, and the type of trauma that an individual experienced (Villalba & Lewis, 2007). Cultural considerations include any cultural factors that play a role in an individual’s experience with experiencing trauma as well as how that is managed within the culture.…”

Trauma and Adolescents

“…It was once thought that providing debriefing right after a traumatic event could be helpful in recovery. One of the most popular types of debriefing, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), was widely used after the attacks of September 11th (Villalba & Lewis, 2007). However, recent research suggests that this type of intervention may not only be ineffective, but can cause harm to certain individuals by disturbing the natural coping process (Roth & Fonagy, 2006).…”

“…Those adolescents who respond to trauma by showing significant anxiety, depression, aggression, school difficulties or extreme withdrawal should receive an evaluation from a licensed mental health professional. Many people who experience trauma and/or PTSD show improvement in their symptoms after receiving individual counseling (Villalba & Lewis, 2007). Cognitive behavioral therapy entails discussion of thoughts and emotions, as well as re-experiencing some of the traumatic event.…”

“…Cognitive behavioral therapy entails discussion of thoughts and emotions, as well as re-experiencing some of the traumatic event. This form of therapy has been found to be particularly effective in treating adolescents with PTSD or exposure to trauma (Villalba & Lewis, 2007). There is some evidence that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) also helps in recovery from trauma ( (Roth & Fonagy, 2006).…”

Fathers and Traumatized Youth: Key Variables of Gender, Emotion, and Recovery Needs

“…From the perspective of the helping professionals, adolescents who experience trauma need parental assistance in dealing with losses and fear (Villalba & Lewis, 2007). Factors that determine successful parental involvement include parent-child mutual understanding of the problem and the ease of parental worries (Meiser-Stedman, Yule, & Dalgleish, 2006).…”