Witnesses to a violent or traumatic event are considered “secondary victims.” When the “secondary victim” is a child, parents and other caregivers are often unsure of how to respond to the effects of trauma.

It is essential for children to be able to talk about their feelings and attempt to understand them after witnessing a traumatic event.

Here are a few ways in which you might be able to help:

• Use words that are both real and accurate to avoid confusion for the child about what it is that he or she witnessed.
• Help create a safe place for him or her to tell the story and express resulting feelings.
• Give the child several outlets for describing or acting out the event such as dolls, drawing materials, puppets, sand, and other appropriate toys to help them express themselves.
• Help the child to understand that the event was not his or her fault.
• Be prepared for a range of behavioral responses that will be displayed following the event such as new fears, nightmares, withdrawal, physical ailments, anger, denial, in any combination.

The therapists at GROW Counseling can provide help to develop healthy coping skills and the additional support a child needs to understand what they have experienced.

Written By: Michelle Rathburn, MAMFT