ZC Clinical Connections

Looking Beyond the Behavior: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Helping Kids

Dr. Jennifer Jancsin, Zepf Center Season 3 Episode 1

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0:00 | 37:51

When a child acts out, withdraws, or struggles with big emotions, it's easy to focus on the behavior. But what if that behavior is really communication?

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Jancsin sits down with Zepf Center Youth Services leaders Dr. Leslie LeFevre and Katie Beach, APN, for an honest conversation about childhood trauma, mental health, and the importance of looking beyond behaviors.

Together, they discuss why more children and teens are struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma, how traumatic experiences affect a child's developing brain, and how parents, teachers, and trusted adults can respond with compassion while still setting healthy boundaries.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, coach, or someone who simply cares about children, this episode offers practical insights, hope, and a reminder that healing is always possible.

Because sometimes the most important question we can ask isn't, "What's wrong with you?" it's "What happened to you?"

Episode Resources

  • Zepf Center Crisis Care 
  • Zepf Center Youth Services 

Questions or comments about the content in this episode? Please email cmorrow@zepfcenter.org. 

Celebrating 50 years of care, Zepf Center is dedicated to serving the surrounding communities by providing comprehensive, accessible, trauma-informed, and person-centered care. To learn more, visit zepfcenter.org.