1. Building Resiliency in Children who have Experienced Trauma
Meredith Smith PsyD, LP
Clinical Psychologist-Resiliency Program; DHS Liaison
AllHealth Network
Laura Patterson, MA
Trauma Coordinator, Arapahoe County CAPS

2. What is Trauma?
Overwhelming event or events that render a person helpless, powerless, creating a threat of harm and/or loss.
Internalization of the experience that continues to impact perception of self, others, world, and development. 2

4. Traumatic Impact
Events

6. Brain impact of severe neglect

9. “Trauma Trumps Everything!!!”
Sandra Bloom, MD

10. Resiliency
Resiliency contextualizes a child’s strengths (individual, familial, community) against their adverse experiences (Zolkoski & Bullock, 2012)

11. Traumatic Event/Events
Resiliency Factors
Traumatic Event/Events
Traumatic Impact

12. Mastery/ Self Efficacy
Resiliency
Relatedness
Mastery/ Self Efficacy
Affect Regulation
Self Esteem

13. Resiliency Strategies Karen Young, 2017; Meichenbaum
1. Resilience needs relationships
Reliable presence of at least one caring, supportive relationship who is a positive role model
The best documented asset of resilience is a strong bond to a competent and caring adult, which need not be a parent. For children who do not have such an adult involved in their life, it is the first order of business. (Masten & Reed, 2002)
2.Increase their exposure to people who care about them
Kids need a fan club

15. Resiliency Strategies
3. Build their executive functioning
Establishing routines
Modeling healthy social behavior
Creating and maintaining supportive reliable relationships around them
Providing opportunities for their own social connections
Creative play
Board games
Games that involve memory
Exercise
Giving them opportunity to think/act independently
Providing opportunity for them to make their own decisions

16. Resiliency Strategies
4. Building feelings of competence Remind them they can do hard things and encourage activities where they feel successful 5. Nurture optimism & Reframe Important to validate how they are feeling but then show them a different view.

17. Resiliency Strategies
6. Model resiliency Kids look up to you and are watching and taking in EVERYTHING  7. Helping them face fears and not rushing to their rescue Facing fears is empowering but they often need a lot of support-gradual exposure is beneficial Try to resist solving their problems for them

18. Let them know they are loved unconditionally!!!

19. Donald Meichenbaum, Ph.D.
Bruce Perry, M.D., Ph.D.
Karen Young - HeySigmund.com
Building Resilience in Children-20 Practical, Powerful Strategies (Backed by Science)
Ann S. Masten-Ordinary Magic
Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.