Families: Supporting children who have experienced trauma

This episode, we wanted to showcase another conversation from the Emerging Minds Families podcast.

All children deserve to have safe environments where they can thrive. As parents and caregivers, we want our children to know they can trust us and tell us anything.

When a child’s trust is broken and their environment no longer feels safe, it can have significant consequences for the child’s development and lifelong wellbeing.

Childhood trauma, particularly relational trauma, is a difficult topic to discuss. In this episode we talk with Dan Moss, who has a long history of working in support services with children who have experienced trauma. Dan helps us understand what relational trauma is and how it can affect the mental health and wellbeing of the children in our lives.

Content warning: This episode includes themes of child abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. If listening to this conversation brings up any difficult feelings for you, please seek help from your GP, mental health professional or one of these crisis or support services.

In this episode, you will learn:

• the meaning of relational trauma [00:50]
• how children respond to relational trauma [03:04]
• how parents can show their children they can trust them and the importance of children having a voice [07:14]
• how a parent can help a child cope with trauma [09:10]
• the role a child’s village or community play in supporting them when they have experienced trauma [16:05]

Further information and resources:

The impact of trauma on the child online course – Emerging Minds

The in utero experience: Trauma before birth fact sheet – ACT Government

Traumatic events: supporting children and teenagers afterwards web page – Raising Children Network

Supporting children and young people who have experienced trauma web page – Be You