Traumatic events and experiences can elicit a wide range of reactions. In order to help your loved one cope with trauma, it helps to know some of the symptoms that people experience. Here are a few: Crying, panicking, or intense fearfulness when reminded of the trauma Withdrawal or pulling away from others Having difficulty sleeping, […]
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Most people go through something terribly hard in their lives A study from the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that out of over 1000 people in the US, almost 70% had experienced some type of traumatic experience. These events can include things like traumatic death, sexual assault, and domestic assault. Rates are similar […]
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Unfortunately, sometimes children have traumatic experiences. As adults we try very hard to protect children. The loss of a loved one, a serious illness in the family, a car accident, or learning about violence in the world are events that may be traumatic for children. Trauma is a very individualized experience so the effects can […]
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Threats to school safety are an increasingly common fear. Many parents have expressed concerns on how to respond to lock-downs, threats, and reports of violence at their child’s school. Given the high number of reports of school violence in the last number of years, as well as the 24-hour news coverage of these events, people are understandably […]
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When a child experiences a traumatic event it is often hard for them to cope. After a traumatic event, children may struggle with difficulty sleeping, anxiety, not being able to focus at school or even with their friends, or acting out behaviors such as aggression or tantrums. It can be very difficult for caregivers to […]
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What is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)? Trauma-Focused CBT is relationship-based. Your therapist will get to know you and your child, and work with you to feel better. Children and their parents attend sessions together. Also, it uses trauma-sensitive therapy along with with cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic work. Importantly, the focus is to help […]
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Dr. Anderson and Hope Springs Behavioral Consultants were recently feature on Fox News Channel 2 KGAN Cedar Rapids, providing an expert opinion on how to help children process tragedies on the news. The psychologists at Hope Springs have provided expert interviews to the Iowa City Press Citizen, and the Cedar Rapids Gazette. 1,798 total views, 2 views […]
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Flashbacks are experienced when people relive or remember something very frightening. Flashbacks are often experienced with increased physical and psychological arousal. Physically, the person may sweat, their heart rate increases, and breathing may become shallow and rapid. Subjectively, it can be described as “panic,” or “terror.” Some people report feeling “frozen,” or like they are “flinching.”
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Last week in Iowa City, there was a community experience of violence. Episodes of horrible violence also happened in other places, such as South Carolina. Community violence is something that many of us will experience. Recent research suggests that 39-94% of children will witness an episode of violence in their community at some point in their childhood.
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When community tragedies happen, they can feel downright terrifying, especially so close to home. Traumas can have lasting effects for communities, children, and families. They increase our fears, and decrease our feelings of safety. These effects are particularly pronounced if we were present or directly involved with the victims.
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