Children and Trauma: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

by Cynthia Monahon

Childhood traumas range widely in their severity and impact. A car accident, an earthquake or flood, being attacked by a dog, undergoing a frightening medical treatment?all are distinctly different events yet all provoke common symptoms of psychological trauma. These symptoms may include fearfulness, nightmares, and dramatic behavioral or personality changes. And parental anxiety over changes in a child can, in turn, complicate the healing process.

Children and Trauma teaches parents and professionals about the effects of such ordeals on children and offers a blueprint for restoring a child's sense of safety and balance. Cynthia Monahon, a child psychologist who specializes in the treatment of psychological trauma, offers hope and reassurance for parents. She suggests straightforward ways to help kids through tough times, and also describes in detail the warning signs that indicate a child needs professional help. Monahon helps adults understand psychological trauma from a child's point of view and explores the ways both parents and professionals can help children heal.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 1997

Reviews

[Jules Bertaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty informative book about trauma in children. It focuses on children's responses to single traumatic incidents as opposed to more complex traumas. It gives a good explanation of general trauma reactions at different ages, and some indicators that professional intervention is needed, and some explanation of what happens in different kinds of therapy for kids. It is written in a more academic style than may be useful for some parents.