Trauma Informed Parent
Trauma Informed Parent offers information, resources and perspective for parents and caregivers of young people who have experienced one or more traumatic events.
The podcast is hosted by Suzy DeYoung, MSEdu and Catherine Galda, LCSW
Both Suzy and Catherine have extensive experience working with and helping survivors of trauma and they also are the parents of children who survived very traumatic events.
Trauma Informed Parent
"Life is Good" Chief Playmaker Steve Gross on Bringing the Power of Optimism to Traumatized Youth
The Life is Good Playmaker Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids heal from childhood trauma. Clinical Social Worker, Steve Gross is the "Chief Playmaker."
For over 30 years, Steve has pioneered innovative, play-based, trauma interventions for communities around the world. Steve's work is rooted in his belief that play is the universal language of children and that adults must speak it fluently in order to help them heal, grow, and thrive. His unique approach has been instrumental for communities around the world facing large-scale trauma events including Ukraine, Haiti and communities impacted by gun violence. Steve's work was featured as an example of how play can be used in therapy in the longtime #1 New York Times Bestseller, "The Body Keeps the Score."
In this podcast Steve discusses the following:
-His response to those who say that focusing "optimism" and "play" is unrealistic when it comes to addressing trauma.
-How to handle the aftermath of a traumatic event with a child. Do we discuss or not discuss it? Avoid reminders or sit with reminders?
-How to help children who are burdened by constant worrying
-Tools and games that parents - particularly foster parents - can use to help emotionally dysregulated kids feel safe
-Why kids who have experienced trauma need both choice and structure and how parents and caregivers can provide this.
-Why unstructured play - in the form of jumping, running, and climbing are essential for kids who have endured trauma and are just as "therapeutic" as conventional "therapies."
-Why caring for your own needs is the first step in bringing the power of optimism and joy to your child.
-Why trauma is not about what has happened to a child. It is about how the child "perceives" what happened.