Overcoming Childhood Trauma: Strengthening Parent-Child Relationships after Something Bad Happens

The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that only twenty nine percent of all children have not suffered some form of victimization. It is well documented that children who experience abuse-related trauma are less likely to grow up to become healthy, emotionally stable adults. However, surprisingly, almost twenty-five percent of children who have been sexually abused show no long-term adverse effects, and almost eighty-two percent show at least some degree of positive adaptation. By examining what works to overcome childhood trauma in the research literature, it was found that supportive relationships provide the best protection. This Senior Capstone will provide an overview of a brief parent-child group therapy program that can be used to teach therapeutic relationship building skills to non-offending parents and caregivers