I am an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant for Pre-schools in Middletown, CT!
Trauma Approaches:
Typically trauma does not get discussed unless directly asked about. Asking kids and adults is done in a VERY different way. Ages 0-2 require an understanding of the three E’s- Event, Experience & Effect especially since traumatic events and stress detrimentally impacts their developmental milestones which have such rapid growth in the 1st 2 years of life. Caregivers are heavily involved in any trauma detection of this age group. There is good news and HOPE for this age group!
In certain situations, when trauma and its effects are identified, with my guidance as a trained therapist caregivers can and will assist in the healing process and be amazed at the positive changes that they see happen. Getting referred to other specialized services like B23 can also help your child get back on developmental track. You will also be able to assist in re-interpreting your child’s behavioral signals with my guidance. At such an early age trauma and development can be thought of as really bound together so we look at developmental growth, cues or other signs of delay when assessing it which informs how to best eradicate the effects of trauma to heal from it. In older children and adults who are verbal, the effects of trauma will be experienced in more advanced ways like physical/ visceral symptomology, when thoughts or memories take form through behaviors, sleep issues, anger and mood disturbances that are not typically impactful on certain specific developmental milestones happening in infants.
Typically trauma screening with children is very effective, brief and does NOT involve covering details of the event! In younger children cognitive, social emotional disturbances and developmental delays are widely seen in children who have experienced a traumatic event. Tracking progress of developmental milestones with assessments can be utilized in combination with caregiver coaching and play therapy techniques. This is the HOPE here! Kara has several years experience working with children removed from their family of origin or having had multiple displaced attachments, living in kinship care or those commitment by DCF. Kara has also worked extensively with grandparents raising grandchildren in CT who almost always experience the child’s adjustment to them as their caregivers and sometimes need specialized help to form a bond with the child re-routing them to understand they are their secure base now.
Uniquely positioned to identify childhood stressors as a mental health professional, Kara is also clinically trained in:
-TF-CBT, ARC (attachment regulation and competency)
-Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and impact of toxic stress
-Parent Facilitator of Circle of Security.
-Certified in ScreenTIME Trauma detection and intervention of early childhood trauma with The National -Child Traumatic Stress Network, she utilizes specialized infant and early childhood trauma screeners.
-Kara is trained in treatment and recovery from traumatic events for those 3-6 yrs. old.