Patients, families, and medical providers may experience traumatic stress associated with experiencing a catastrophic event whether directly or indirectly. This can affect emotional functioning, interactions with others, completion of tasks related to daily living, as well as how one responds to and heals from medical intervention. Following a traumatic event, individuals might experience a range of intense reactions, all designed for survival and to boost one’s sense of safety. It is important to clarify that these reactions are normal. During times of crisis, a person’s decision-making skills may be stunted. Understanding common reactions that one may experience can reduce the shame or discomfort which often accompany these trauma reactions. Behavioral health clinicians are equipped to reduce anxiety and promote adaptive functioning by helping people identify and understand their current state, consider what comes next, and assist with creating both a response and treatment plan tailored to the unique needs of the individual. Response strategies and interventions are key components of a trauma-informed system of care.  

Working with Families

We know that when scary and unpredictable things occur, children look to their parents and other adults to determine whether their world is safe as well as for guidance on what to do next. Guidance from healthcare team members can provide specific ways for parents and caregivers to support their children. Additionally, when a parent is doing well, their child will benefit. One of the best things clinicians can do to support children during a crisis is to support their parents. Providing suggestions of clear steps that can be taken to move forward in a healthy manner can boost a sense of safety and confidence, which supports a return to baseline functioning or to the patient’s new normal.  

Actionable Steps 

Behavioral health clinicians can share easy to access resources to support parents and caregivers offered through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) such as Talking to Children, Creating Supportive Environments when scary things happen, and the Help Kids Cope mobile app, which can support parents when talking to their children about disasters.

Behavioral health clinicians need to be prepared for a continuum of trauma reactions. Clinicians’ responses will likely range from providing brief intervention such as in the case of Skills for Psychology Recovery (SPR) in an outpatient setting to participating in behavioral health emergency response teams operating within the Emergency Department setting. Consider how you can best support response efforts for the patients, families, and the systems within which you work.