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Child Trauma

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A number of children around the world are commonly exposed to some form of trauma which can include physical, sexual and emotional abuse (Wethington et al., 2008). This paper will be focusing on children between the ages of four to twelve years old who had experienced trauma. For that reason, the paper will be focusing on art and play therapy as being effective in working with traumatized children. This paper will begin with the discussion of the importance of knowing and having an understanding of how trauma affects children along with being aware of approaches that can be used including art and play therapy. From there, the paper will get in detail about trauma including what it is and what kind of impact it can have on children who have …show more content…

A child, for example, may go through a traumatic experience that may consist of either exposure to verbal or physical violence between parents or physical abuse towards the child (Kozlowska & Hanney, 2001). Young children tend to be more vulnerable to the negative effects of domestic violence (Webb, 2007). For example, children who live in a home with domestic violence that includes physical assault, mental humiliation and degradation, are likely to have lower interpersonal sensitivity, empathy and also lack appropriate interpersonal problem solving skills (Thompson & Trice-Black, 2012). As a result, when children who are exposed to this, they are at a greater risk for developing violent behaviour, criminal activity, and poor parenting practices when they transition into adulthood (Thompson & Trice-Black, …show more content…

Release play therapy involves the therapist picking out toys that relate to a child’s traumatic experience as a way to help the child to play out a particular situation (Ogawa, 2004). With this process, a child can communicate their feelings and struggles in a safe environment (Ogawa, 2004). In child-centered play therapy, communication takes place through the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and child (Ogawa, 2004). As a result, this kind of therapy requires a therapist to be genuine, show unconditional positive acceptance and express empathy (Ogawa, 2004). The belief in this approach is that children have an inborn ability to adjust and grow (Ogawa, 2004). During therapy, children are the ones who decide how to deal with their own experiences and gain control (Ogawa, 2004). The children decide what kind of play they are willing to use for personal expression (Ogawa, 2004). Overall, both these approaches that consist of either a directed or non-directed approach are great with working with children who have experienced

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