How to Help Children & Young People with Trauma Difficulties with Betsy De Thierry

Over 100 delegates from throughout Scotland joined us last Wednesday to tackle a difficult, yet crucially important subject; trauma difficulties in children and young people.

Recent studies estimate that 2/3 people will have experienced trauma by the age of 16, leaving education and health care professionals wanting to know more.

The day began and closed with world expert Betsy De Thierry, a best-selling author and trauma recovery specialist. She gave three engaging and informative talks, covering the impact of trauma and being trauma informed in the morning. In the afternoon, discussing attachment trauma, reducing shame and their link to one and other.

Betsy told us trauma recovery is possible, it’s a specialist journey and we need to get the word out there. She provided many useful ideas to take away when thinking about trauma, but the vital factor that tied them all together, was what she called a “**person-centred approach”.** Trauma has no quick fix or set of rules to follow, the most important aspect is coming to the situation as one empathetic human, to another.

Betsy ran through the 6 c’s:
CARE – A child needs to sense from us we care
CONNECT – WE need to connect with the child
CO-REGULATE – we need to co-regulate them
CALM- we need calm
COMFORT – They need comfort
CONSIDER

Besty’s session on shame gave us lots to think about, she emphasised all of us at some point will feel shame, if a child is experiencing trauma and doesn’t have enough positive influences in their life, they can feel shame strongly. What can we do to help someone in a shame cycle – emotional connection, psychoeducation, catching negative believes and giving children a sense of skill.

Next up was Ben Ashcroft, who we thank for sharing his personal account of childhood trauma. This allowed the audience understand factors that can create trauma in children, which may follow them for the rest of their life. Despite being moved 51 times, from his first placement until he left care at age 16, Ben now works to motivate young people from similar backgrounds.

Ben emphasises how crucial it is to speak to our children and young people to understand what trauma they have been through, and let them know that whatever life throws at them they should “Never, ever, give up”.

Dan Johnson, the clinical director at Kibble, began his talk with the question ‘if you wanted to create a violet child, what experiences would you give them?’. The audience submitted their ideas and common answers included ‘neglect’, ‘domestic abuse’ and ‘poverty’. He stated that while correlation doesn’t always mean cause, we have enough lived experience to know these are a factor.

He provided our delegates with practical strategies for helping children feel safe. For example, showing the child you are good and predicable, taking time to build a relationship with them and, acknowledging their past and how hard it has been.

Danny Gemmell, founder of Be-Inn Unity, delivered a powerful and inspiring talk which focused on the importance of nurturing relationships with children and young people. He shared his personal story of suicidal thoughts, as well as people he had lost, to show the importance of “reaching out”.

Throughout the day, we heard the importance of building relationships, reaching out and having active communication. Danny outlined what we need to remember to be successful in this:
- Perceive the signal
- Make sense of the information
- Respond in a timely and effective manner

The day could be summed up with a quote from keynote speaker Betsy De Thierry, “trauma is way more complicated than we think”. Yes, there is a lot of work and a lot of learning to do. However, I was left feeling inspired, not just by the speakers, but by the room full of delegates who are putting themselves forward to do so.

**Forthcoming Medica CPD Events **
Exploring Sexual Behaviour in Children & Young People
4th July 2023
Venue Cymru, Llandudno, North Wales

Let’s Talk Autism 2023 with Keynote Speaker Brenda Smith Myles
5th July 2023
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