When to look for more help for your child

Does your child have traumatic stress symptoms that:

• Get in the way of getting back to usual activities?
• Stop your child from enjoying things he used to enjoy?
• Seem to be getting worse rather than better?
• Have lasted more than a month?

Does your child:

• Get Physical symptoms if reminded of the injury or what happened?
• Try not to Talk about it?
• Startle easily (for example, jumping at sudden noises)?
• Get very Distressed if reminded of the injury?

If any of the above are true, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor or another professional about how your child is doing.

This website can help you create and print a list of your child’s reactions and feelings. You can share that list with others who can help you.

How to look for professional help for your child

There are very good and helpful treatments for children who continue to have traumatic stress symptoms.

A good place to start is to talk with your child’s doctor or a counselor at your child’s school. They can help you figure out the best way of helping your child and your family, and may be able to suggest a counselor or therapist experienced in helping children with traumatic stress.

When looking for a counselor or therapist to help your child with traumatic stress symptoms, it’s a good idea to ask questions such as: Do you have experience working with children after trauma? What is your approach to working with this type of problem? What is your success rate? How do you work with parents?

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has useful tips and information on how to find a mental health professional to help your child and family after trauma.

The following national organizations in the US provide links to help consumers find mental health professionals:

American Psychological Association - Psychologist Locator

National Association of Social Workers - Find a Licensed Social Worker

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists - Psychiatrist Finder

American Psychiatric Association - Locate a Psychiatrist

Anxiety Disorders Association of America - Find a Therapist

Sidran Institute Help Desk - Locate Trauma Resources

Additional Links and Resources

Click here for links and resources which other parents have found helpful:

• Traumatic stress and PTSD in adults and children
• Dealing with other kinds of traumatic events
• Helping your child with worry or stress
• Helping your child with sleep problems
• Books for parents
• Books for kids

When and how to look for more help for yourself

Sometimes parents need extra help too.

Do you have traumatic stress reactions that:

• get in the way of you getting back to (or enjoying) usual activities
• seem to make it harder for you to talk with your child about what happened
• seem to be getting worse rather than better
• have lasted more than a month

If so, you may want to seek out a professional who can help you.

When looking for a counselor or therapist to help with traumatic stress symptoms, remember to ask questions such as: Do you have experience working with people after trauma? What is your approach to working with this type of problem? What is your success rate?