Helping Children Cope with Trauma, Loss and Death

The post-traumatic period is characterized by an attempt by the child to reorganize, reevaluate and restore the pre-traumatic world. Many of the emotional, behavioral and cognitive signs and symptoms of the posttraumatic period are due to these efforts. Children often do not have the capacity to understand or explain most traumatic experiences. Children seek answers and comfort from adults around them, yet adults often feel helpless in this role. While adults do not have all the answers, they can help children better understand a traumatic event and the ways we respond following trauma. This course addresses some of the key issues related to the child's complex set of reactions that often follow traumatic events. The more we understand the impact of traumatic experiences, the more compassionate and wise we can be as we try to help these children.