Counselling for Developmental Trauma
Developmental Trauma
Developmental Trauma is a term used to describe the impact of childhood trauma, such as ongoing abuse, neglect, or other harsh adversity within the home environment. When a child experiences overwhelming distress, and their caregiver fails to alleviate this stress or is the source of the stress, the child can suffer from developmental trauma. While many practitioners are familiar with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), most traumatised children may not develop this condition. Instead, they are at risk of a range of complex psychological, cognitive, and behavioural issues that can span their lives.
Developmental trauma, also known as adverse childhood experiences, can include early exposure to negative events such as substance abuse, parents with mental health difficulties, the loss of a parent, abandonment, incarceration, witnessing domestic violence, feeling unloved, poor parenting styles, inadequate care, or being victims of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse. When a child's emotional needs are not met, it may lead to developmental trauma.
Although developmental trauma can happen to anyone, it can be prevalent in cross-cultural settings, where a child may be exposed to conflicting cultural values growing up. Psychosocial interventions that address developmental trauma can be a helpful process to help the client unpack their experiences. It is essential to identify and address developmental trauma to minimise long-term impacts.
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