Trauma

Experiencing trauma can be a life-altering event for a child, impacting their emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. Traumatic experiences, such as abuse, accidents, loss, or witnessing violence, can leave children feeling overwhelmed, frightened, and unsure of how to process their emotions. Shiva Movafaghian, a compassionate and experienced psychotherapist, certified play therapist, and certified life coach, specializes in helping children and families heal from trauma. With over 15 years of experience in child and youth mental health, Shiva uses a trauma-informed approach to create a safe and supportive environment for healing.

The impact of trauma on a child can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, behavioral changes, and difficulty forming trusting relationships. Shiva’s work begins by creating a safe space where the child feels secure and respected. This is essential, as a sense of safety is often disrupted after a traumatic experience. In this space, Shiva gently guides the child to express their emotions and memories without fear of judgment or retraumatization.

Play therapy is one of the foundational techniques Shiva uses to help children process trauma. Because children often struggle to articulate their feelings verbally, play therapy provides an alternative way for them to communicate. Through play, children can express their experiences and emotions symbolically, making sense of what happened to them. Shiva uses play therapy to observe the child’s behaviors, understand the trauma’s impact, and identify areas that need intervention. This method allows children to work through difficult emotions and begin the process of healing in a way that feels natural and manageable.

Shiva also incorporates trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), an evidence-based approach that has been proven effective in treating trauma. TF-CBT helps children process and make sense of the traumatic experience while teaching them coping skills to manage distressing thoughts and emotions. Shiva works with children to identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs that may have developed as a result of the trauma, such as feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame. Through gentle and age-appropriate techniques, she guides children in reframing these thoughts, helping them develop a healthier and more realistic perspective on the traumatic event.

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques are also integral to Shiva’s trauma therapy. Trauma often leaves children feeling hyper-vigilant and unable to relax, as their bodies remain in a state of heightened alert. Shiva teaches children mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and grounding exercises, to help them calm their bodies and minds. These techniques empower children to manage their anxiety and bring a sense of peace and stability to their daily lives. By learning to self-regulate, children can begin to feel more in control of their emotions and reactions.

Shiva places a strong emphasis on building resilience in children who have experienced trauma. Resilience is the ability to recover from adversity and continue to grow, and it is a crucial part of the healing process. Shiva helps children identify their strengths and use them as tools for coping and overcoming challenges. She introduces activities that promote self-esteem and self-compassion, reinforcing the idea that they are strong and capable, despite what they have experienced. By celebrating even small achievements, Shiva helps children see themselves as survivors rather than victims, instilling hope and confidence for the future.

Parental involvement is another essential component of Shiva’s trauma therapy. She understands that trauma affects not only the child but the entire family system. By working closely with parents, Shiva provides education on the effects of trauma and equips caregivers with strategies to support their child’s healing journey. Parents learn how to create a trauma-sensitive home environment, respond to their child’s needs with empathy, and use consistent routines to promote a sense of safety. Shiva’s parent coaching sessions also offer guidance on self-care, as supporting a child through trauma recovery can be emotionally demanding.

In cases where trauma is compounded by grief or loss, Shiva integrates additional therapeutic techniques to help children process and accept the loss. Art therapy, for example, allows children to express their grief visually, while narrative therapy helps them create a coherent story about their experience. Shiva’s compassionate and holistic approach ensures that all aspects of the child’s emotional and psychological well-being are addressed, leading to a more complete and lasting recovery.

Shiva’s trauma-informed care is rooted in her deep understanding of neuroscience and brain plasticity. She educates children and parents about how trauma affects the brain and how therapeutic interventions can help rewire the brain for healing. This knowledge empowers families to actively participate in the recovery process, fostering a sense of hope and possibility. Through her comprehensive and empathetic approach, Shiva has helped countless children and families find peace and healing, guiding them toward a future filled with resilience and renewed joy.