Sarah noticed her 7-year-old son Jake hadn't been the same since her divorce six months ago. Once outgoing and confident, he now clung to her at school drop-off, had frequent meltdowns, and woke up with nightmares three times a week.
"He's just being dramatic," her mother-in-law suggested.
But Sarah knew something deeper was happening.
Does this sound familiar?
If your child has experienced something difficult and hasn’t seemed quite the same since, you’re not alone. Research shows that 1 in 4 children will experience a potentially traumatic event before age 16—and many of these experiences happen during what we think of as “normal” childhood.
The good news? Children’s brains are incredibly resilient. With the right support, they can heal and thrive again.
💬
Worried your child may be struggling? You don’t have to wait and see.
Schedule a free consultation today—healing can start now.
When “Normal” Childhood Becomes Traumatic
Childhood trauma isn’t just about severe abuse or neglect. It’s any experience that overwhelms a child’s ability to cope and leaves them feeling unsafe, helpless, or alone.
By age six, children are more aware of relationships and social dynamics—but they still lack the emotional tools to process complex or frightening situations.
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COMMON EXPERIENCES
THAT CAN CREATE LASTING TRAUMA
4. Witnessing Violence or Conflict
🏠 The scenario: Domestic violence, community violence, or even frightening news reports.
🧸 What children often feel: Hypervigilance, fear, anxiety about safety.
5. Emotional, Physical, or Sexual Abuse
🏠 The scenario: Harsh punishment, verbal criticism, inappropriate touching, or manipulation by adults.
🧸 What children often feel: Shame, fear, confusion, and a loss of trust in others.
6. Medical Trauma and Hospitalization
🏠 The scenario: Illness, surgeries, emergency visits, or extended hospital stays.
🧸 What children often feel: Fear of losing control, dread of medical settings, anxiety around their bodies.
7. Bullying, Racism, and Social Rejection
🏠 The scenario: Teasing, exclusion, physical bullying, or discrimination.
🧸 What children often feel:
“Something is wrong with me.” Deep shame and social anxiety.
If two or more of these feel familiar to your child’s experience, now is the time to act. Early support can change their emotional trajectory.
Schedule a free consultation here
🚨 Warning Signs Your Child May Be Struggling
Children rarely say “I’m traumatized.” Instead,
they show us through behavior, such as:
🧠 Trust your instincts—you know your child better than anyone.
If they’ve changed, it’s worth paying attention.
How EMDR Therapy Helps Children Heal
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a breakthrough therapy originally developed for trauma survivors—now successfully adapted for children as young as six.
What Makes EMDR Different?
- Uses playful and nonverbal techniques to process distress
- No pressure to retell the trauma in detail
- Helps rewire the brain’s memory of the event
How EMDR Works with Kids
Step 1: Building Safety
Toys, art, or games help create a warm, safe space.
Step 2: Identifying the “Stuck” Memory
Your child tells their story through play—not pressured conversation.
Step 3: Bilateral Stimulation (The Magic of EMDR)
While thinking about the difficult memory, the child engages in gentle, rhythmic activities:
- Eye movements (watching a moving light or toy)
- Alternating hand vibrations
- Knee tapping or headphones with alternating tones
Step 4: Installing Positive Beliefs
Once distress fades, new beliefs are reinforced:
- “I am safe now.”
- “It wasn’t my fault.”
- “I am strong.”
🌱 Children often describe EMDR as ‘playing games’ or ‘doing puzzles’—but the internal transformation is profound.
What Parents Notice After EMDR
How to Talk to Your Child About Difficult Experiences
✅ Do:
- Listen patiently
- Say:
“That sounds scary. I’m here with you.”
- Reassure them it’s not their fault
- Keep routines consistent
🚫 Don’t:
- Say:
“It wasn’t that bad.”
- Push them to talk or “get over it”
- Show your own fear or overwhelm
- Force them to relive the memory
Take the Next Step:
Your Child’s Healing Journey Starts Here
Here’s the truth: Children don’t outgrow trauma. They grow around it—unless they get the support they need to heal.
If your child has experienced something distressing and hasn’t seemed quite the same since, don’t wait. The earlier we intervene, the more we can help your child reclaim their natural resilience.
Ready to Help Your Child Heal?
Contact Lauren Daul, LMSW
📞
CapstoneAtlanta.com/team-member/lauren-daul
📍 9 Dunwoody Park, S Suite 136 Dunwoody, GA 30338
📧 info@CapstoneAtlanta.com
Let’s work together to help your child feel like themself again—curious, confident, and ready to embrace all the joy childhood should hold.
P.S. EMDR is effective for many populations. If you want to learn more about EMDR in general,
check it out here.
Schedule a free consultation here
