Earlychildhood Norton, B. Et Al. (2011) \"Somatic

¶ … EarlyChildhood

Norton, B. et al. (2011) "Somatic Expressions of Trauma in Experiential Play Therapy" in International Journal of Play Therapy, Vol. 20, No. 3, 138 -- 152.

Researchers have found connections between animal and human responses to trauma that are important in understanding somatic (non-verbal) cues and conditioning. Some research has been done that shows parallels between animal behaviors and child behaviors in cases of abuse and neglect, although the literature remains scant. Children act out trauma in play therapy, resulting in a building of "trauma energy," expressed through movement in the discharge, or surge, phase. Following is the "soothe phase," in which the child becomes calm as part of trauma processing. As the authors point out, some severely traumatized children must undergo the process several times during treatment.

Thompson, E.H. et al. (2012) "School-Based Group Interventions for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence" in Journal of Family Violence, Vol. 27, 233 -- 241.

Children exposed to the trauma of domestic violence tend to have problems with behavior, social functioning, and academics when they reach school-age. Schools afford these children access to mental health practitioners, including counselors, psychologists, and social workers, who can address these concerns through counseling, structured activities and play therapy. Research is limited, but findings indicate, not surprisingly, that children do benefit from early interventions. The authors outline specific strategies and activities that can be used by mental health professionals in working with these children in the school setting.

Dripchak, V.L. (2007) "Posttraumatic Play: Towards Acceptance and Resolution" in Clinical Social Work Journal, Vol. 35, 125 -- 134.

According to research findings, more than a quarter of American children experience a traumatic event by the age of sixteen; many endure repeated trauma. Often, children who experience trauma demonstrate it through posttraumatic play (PTP). Some professionals view the repetitive reenactment of a traumatic event to be traumatizing as well, leading to psychiatric or behavioral problems. A therapeutic model that specifically targets trauma work with children and PTP issues incorporates the principles of Milton Erickson and uses both non-directive and directive strategies. A case study illustrates the model, and shows how the child gained a new ending and an adaptive understanding of the traumatic event.

Chazan, S. et al. (2010) "Adaptive and Defensive Strategies in Post-Traumatic Play of Young Children Exposed to Violent Attacks" in Journal of Child Psychotherapy, Vol. 36, No. 2, 133 -- 151.

The researchers videotaped twenty-three children, aged four to eight years, in individual 40 minute play sessions. Each of the children had been exposed to violent attacks. The children's play patterns were characterized in one of three ways: re-enactment with soothing, re-enactment without soothing, and overwhelming re-enactment. Further analysis of play was used to identify the contributions of play activity to healing and the factors that contribute to resilience in a child. The authors concluded that PTP is both complex and multilayered. A common factor in all three categories of PTP was the child's response to comfort. The authors call for further research into the human relationship factors that help provide the emotional balance children need as they move toward recovery.

Green, E.J. et al. (2010) "Counseling Children with Preverbal Trauma" in International Journal of Play Therapy, Vol. 19, No. 2, 95 -- 105.