Helping Your Child Cope with a Traumatic Event
It’s normal for children to feel scared, confused and worried after a traumatic event. It’s challenging enough to deal with any physical or behavioral issues that are already present – and the traumatic event can make everything feel even worse for your child. The good news is that by working closely with your mental health counselor in a comprehensive mental health program, you can help your child cope quite effectively. The better that your child is able to cope, the easier it will be for you as a parent, too. Our Dickinson, Killdeer, and Richardton, ND mental health couselors are also happy to help, so contact us for an appointment any time.
Traumatic events can happen to anyone, however, children lack the coping mechanisms that adults have developed and are especially vulnerable to the effects of trauma. As a parent, you may feel powerless to help your child pull through a traumatic event such as a serious accident, a violent attack or the death of a loved one. Your child will also struggle with feelings of helplessness and confusion. There are a few steps you can take to help your child cope with the traumatic event and process the experience in a healthy way. Several of these steps involve dialogue and attentive listening as well as therapeutic treatments. The role of a mental health counselor can be vital in both relieving the stress symptoms that accompany a traumatic event and in helping your child overcome the event using techniques such as grounding, targeted exercises and deep breathing.
1. Be calm and patient
Your child is relying on you to be his/her point of stability in a world that was just shown to be scary and unstable. As a parent, your emotions are both valid and valuable to share, but try to project a sense of calm and patience in front of your child.
2. Be attentive
Listen to your child and watch how he or she behaves. Different age groups will respond differently and you need to be ready to listen with an open ear. Keep in mind that older children are more inclined to be silent, although they still feel the weight of the traumatic event.
3. Be comforting
A traumatic event can shatter a child’s sense of safety and security. As a parent, you can reassure your child that he or she is not alone and will recover. Show your child safety and reassure them of their security after a traumatic event.
4. Connect mind and body
The mind-body connection can be a central point to any coping strategy after a tragic event. Our mental health counselors help children to relieve their stress, move past a trauma and develop coping mechanisms. For children and even adolescents, parents can employ specifically designed massages to relax their children and relieve tension. Therapeutic exercise can help children to channel their feelings in a healthy way, rather than withholding them to create deeper emotional scarring. Ask your mental health counselors about deep breathing exercises that are effective for children, adolescents, and adults when coping with a traumatic situation.
Contact Therapy Solutions today
The tips above can help your child cope with trauma, but you still need the support of your Mental Health Counseling Team. Contact us today to arrange a visit with one of our expert mental health counselors for your child.
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