Treating the Roots of Trauma
There’s no magic button when it comes to treating trauma. But there is hope. When children and teens of any age who have trauma are treated as thinking, feeling, complex humans, rather than problems to be solved, that’s when healing can begin.
Trauma’s Impact
Traumatized individuals, particularly those who are traumatized in childhood and adolescence, are at increased risk for:
Social and behavioral problems, including, but not limited to relationship difficulties, risky sexual behavior, aggression, and criminal behaviors.
Impaired psychological health throughout the lifespan, including, but not limited to PTSD, depression, substance use/abuse, and suicide attempts.
Cognitive and academic problems, including, but not limited to low IQ and reading scores, delayed language and cognitive development, and poor academic performance.
Neuropsychological alterations involving areas of the brain that regulate emotion, control of emotions, judgment, and problem solving in addition to the stress response system.
Childhood mortality or early death.
We are All Connected
We are all encircled by the systems around us. This theory is quite evident for a developing child or teen: There’s the family system, the foster and adoptive system, the school system, the legal systems, the medical system… the list goes on.
These systems can shape an individual, by inadvertently telling them who they are, what they’re worth, and how they should be treated by the world. By creating atmospheres that project love and acceptance through improving the systems around children and teens, caregivers can more effectively build the trust that leads to healing.
When all caregivers – including parents (adoptive, foster & biological) – are trained and involved in the healing process, it can make a monumental difference for a child. That’s why we provide support for both professionals and non-professionals– to enable real healing.
If a flower isn’t growing, you don’t try to change the flower. Instead, you give it light, water, soil– You change the environment in which it grows.