We offer a highly specialised assessment and intervention service for children and their families affected by traumatic events.

Traumatic events are shocking and emotionally overwhelming. People directly involved as well as witnesses, friends and relatives can all be traumatised accordingly.

After any major incident, it’s normal for children and parents to experience a number of stress reactions that may continue for a significant period. After a bereavement, it’s also normal for grieving to be uneven and be more intensely felt and extended over time. As in all incidents, the feelings of safety, security and predictability are challenged and a sense of uncertainty becomes a part of life.

Traumatic brain injuries often occur as a result of a momentous event such as an accident or near-death experience and they can have emotional and behavioural impact on the child and family. These can include symptoms of anxiety and arousal, avoidance, and relating to the incident, which may interfere with recovery and adjustment.

Children may not spontaneously report their symptoms, and, as a result, adults might underestimate the trauma. Children could also have difficulty understanding concepts such as avoidance and numbing. For this reason, evaluation includes observation and reports by parents/carers and teachers.