TRAUMA & RECOVERY

We use the term ‘trauma’ when we talk about the impact that highly distressing, tragic or abusive events have on people. There are all kinds of things that can cause childhood trauma, including medical procedures, accidents and ongoing abuse. There are also lots of different ways that children can be helped to recover from the trauma they experience.

Experiencing childhood trauma

Most people – adults and children – experience some distress following trauma, and that’s completely normal. Symptoms of childhood trauma differ from child to child, but they can include nightmares and difficulty sleeping, irritability, intrusive thoughts, feeling low and behavioural problems.

In many cases, children can be helped to recover at home or in school and don’t need specialist support. But in cases where children have experienced complex and/or severe trauma, professional support is often required as part of the recovery process.

Complex trauma recovery

Screening and assessments can help to establish the most effective next steps when approaching complex trauma recovery. Things like seeking social support (from people such as parents, carers and teachers) and guided self-help (such as finding useful websites that can aid recovery) can be hugely effective. And close monitoring – and a referral to CAMHS if needed – can ensure that children whose symptoms don’t improve over time are given the extra help they need to recover.

Play therapy for trauma

We know that early intervention is one of the most effective ways to minimise the impact of domestic abuse on children. So it’s really important that when we work with younger children who have experienced developmental trauma (maltreatment that has happened over a long period of time, as opposed to a one-off incident) we can relate to them in a way that makes them feel safe, secure and comfortable.

Play therapy can help young children to explore their emotions and cope with trauma. Play therapy can break down barriers of communication and is particularly effective with young children who can’t – or won’t – open up about their experiences. It works because play is natural for children. Sitting and talking across a table isn’t.

Monkey Bob & trauma recovery

Monkey Bob is designed to fit into your play therapy toolkit. Bright, cheerful, fun and friendly, children warm to him easily and welcome him into their space quickly. Monkey Bob works well as a representative toy within non-directive child-centred play therapy (CCPT) – where children get to know him and open up on their own terms. He can also be used with storytelling and other directive play, where therapists or other professionals take the lead.

Visit the Monkey Bob shop to place your order now. Or read our resources page for more about supporting children and young people. Just contact us if you have any questions.