Center for Excellence in
Children's Mental Health
2007-08 Lessons from the Field Series
Workshop #1
WORKSHOP TITLE:
Impact of Trauma on the Developing Child
LEAD PRESENTER:
Dr. Abigail Gewirtz, Ph.D., L.P., led a workshop on the impact of trauma on the developing child. Dr. Gewirtz is Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Social Science and the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Gewirtz’s research focuses on understanding and supporting parenting to promote resilience among children exposed to traumatic stressors and related risks. She is project director for the Minnesota Child Response Center, a SAMHSA/National Child Traumatic Stress Network Community Services and Treatment center focusing on the adaptation and dissemination of evidence-based interventions for homeless and formerly homeless children and families exposed to violence and trauma. Two of Dr. Gewirtz’s primary research foci are:
1) The impact of exposure to cumulative traumatic stressors (violence and homelessness) on parenting, child and family functioning.
2) The development and implementation of evidence-based, family-focused interventions in community settings, using community-based participatory methods.
CASE PRESENTER:
David Hong, PsyD is a Licensed Psychologist and obtained his Doctoral
Degree from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology. He
currently practices psychotherapy with children and families at
Washburn Center for Children. His areas of clinical interest are
trauma and working with immigrant populations.
DATE:
February 13, 2008 -
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
(8:30 - 9:00 Check-in and networking)
LOCATION:
Great Hall, Coffman Union
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Campus
(Broadcast live to Greater MN Sites)
VIDEO HOST SITES: The workshop was video streamed live to host sites in Greater Minnesota. Click here for a list of host sites.
CONTENT:
The field of child trauma is a quickly growing field, evidenced by the expanded research and evidence based practices developed in the past 10 years. The impact of child trauma depends on many factors, including the type of trauma, the age (developmental stage) of the child, the severity and cumulative nature of the trauma, and the risk and resilience factors present for the child. This workshop addressed current knowledge regarding child trauma and its application to practice; the effects of various forms of child trauma; the impact on attachment and the parent-child relationship; and identification, assessment and treatment strategies that are effectively being used with traumatized children.
GOAL:
To provide human services professionals, social workers, educators and parents with an understanding of the impact of trauma on the developing child and best practices in identification, assessment and intervention.
OBJECTIVES:
- Understand the research related to trauma and its implications for practice
- Understand the impact of trauma in the context of children’s healthy development and the parent-child relationship
- Understand and apply methods for early identification of traumatized children
- Gain knowledge of evidence-based screening and assessment tools for understanding child symptoms and determining children’s exposure to traumatic events
- Gain knowledge of the latest intervention strategies and resources available for children impacted by trauma
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