National Child Traumatic Stress Network


		Resources for Parents and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers can play a very important role in helping children and adolescents recover from their traumatic experiences. They may feel isolated in their efforts, but they are not alone. Other families have faced similar experiences, and professionals have developed effective ways to help children and families recover from trauma. The resources offered through these pages will help you learn not only about child traumatic stress but about a child's healthy development and ways to seek help.

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Parenting in a Challenging World

What does my family do to heal after a child has experienced a traumatic event? Will my child recover? How have other people coped? Parents and caregivers face questions and cares like these after a child has experienced a traumatic event. These interactive pages look at those and other concerns with the help of scenes from the documentary film, "Surviving September 11th: The Story of One New York Family."

What Is Child Traumatic Stress?

Many children will experience trauma during their lives, and some of them will develop traumatic stress. Learn more about what trauma is, why it occurs, and what to look for in your child after a trauma.

Finding Help

Finding professional help for your child - and maybe for yourself - can be daunting if you don't know where to begin, who to call, or what questions to ask. The NCTSN provides guidance and information both for seeking help and for providing help to your child.

Treatments That Work

We now know that there are clinically sound treatments for trauma that are indeed helpful for children and adolescents.

Youth and Family Partnerships

Increasingly, mental health and other service providers are welcoming family input into their programs and policies. These resources offer guidance to consumers, families, and providers alike on developing fruitful partnerships.

Questions & Answers about Child Traumatic Stress

Network experts answer questions about child trauma and its treatment.

Questions & Answers about Child Physical Abuse (2008)

Questions & Answers about Child Sexual Abuse (2007)

Questions & Answers about Child Sexual Abuse Treatment (2007)

Questions & Answers about Domestic Violence (2008)

More Information and Resources for Families and Caregivers

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has many more resources that can help you and your family.

Glossary of Terms Related to Child Traumatic Stress

Words, phrases, and their definitions or descriptions that will help you understand child traumatic stress.