As a school counselor and future LPC, I would like to gain knowledge in identifying and understanding how trauma works and how we can best support those who suffer from the condition.

I have experience with mental disorders professionally and personally. I have supported several junior high-level students who have been diagnosed with one or more of the disorders. Personally, I have a sister who suffers from a mental health disorder due to depression, which causes her to become suicidal. I am partial on this issue because although there is a rise in mental disorders in America, the stigmatization is there. I have heard people tell others who are suffering from the illness that they were acting/faking and why they cannot get over it because it is not a big deal. Even though more people are self-educating themselves on these types of disorders, I still feel a high need for people to educate and understand thoroughly how to eliminate the stigma around mental illnesses.

In my future role as a licensed professional counselor, knowledge of mental health, crisis, and trauma is essential to understand and apply the knowledge I learn to navigate client's issues and help them achieve their goals.

The article below is something I read previously and enjoyed. This article breaks down the stages of mental illness in children. It is excellent for parents and counselors trying to gain knowledge of supporting children who suffer from this condition. 

Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are when someone has experienced traumatic events during their childhood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021), ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. From 1995 to 1997, Kaiser Permanente conducted two years of research data to see how adults developed certain disorders from adverse childhood experiences. The study aims to help prevent these disorders from happening when adulthood is reached. I believe the ACEs study is beneficial to society because it can help reduce the number of people suffering from ACEs as well as have medical professionals become aware of what to look for and how to support someone who has experienced ACEs. As humans, we rarely consider our inspiration for these actions, and it creates self-deception. Mcleod (2018) stated that Sigmund Freud believed that childhood events significantly influence our adult lives, shaping our personality. In the early years, experiencing trauma creates anxiety, causing individuals to hide the past and cause problems during adulthood consciously.

Identify and explain, in your own words, three types (categories) of trauma you found most interesting in the course readings. Provide an example for each type of trauma.

The three traumas that I found most interesting were acute trauma, burnout, and organizational Stress. Acute trauma is when someone experiences a single event, i.e., a car crash, physical or sexual assault, or major injury. Single-incident trauma can lead to significant, complex symptoms and even PTSD in some cases (Bence, 2021). Burnout is something many people experience, regardless of occupation. As a licensed counselor, I believe a big burnout has to do with the amount of pressure and stress the counselor withholds on themselves when dealing with their client's issues and providing strategies and techniques but not utilizing some of those themselves. One principle is self-care. You cannot care for others if you do not care for yourself. As a counselor, it is easy to take of others, but most struggle to do it for themselves. Organizational Stress is "the level of environmental demand that can disrupt or enhance an individual's physiological or psychological state and change the normal mode of functioning (Landraum, Knight, Flynn, 2012)."

Why do you think children are especially susceptible to trauma?

Children can be affected by trauma more because they do not know how to deal with or cope with the traumatic events they experienced. Exposure to trauma can lead to lasting physical, mental, and emotional harm, whether the child is a direct victim or a witness. Exposure to traumatic events can also negatively impact physiological, psychological, and social development (Morton & Berardi, 2018; Porche et al., 2011).

Identify at least two grief-informed or trauma-informed strategies that can be used to help a student/client.

A trauma-informed approach can identify the need to understand a child's life experiences to provide the correct care effectively. Two strategies that can help improve the trauma or issues are: 

Outside of the school setting

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Focuses on addressing distorted beliefs and attributions related to abuse or trauma, providing a supportive environment for children to talk about traumatic experiences, and helping parents who are not abusive to cope with their distress and develop skills to support their children. 

School Setting:

Positive Behavioral Interventions and supports (PBIS) are educational, evidence-based practices that focus on improving school culture and student behavior and promoting a safe environment for learning.

Do you think it should be mandated that all health professionals receive education about the effects of trauma and how to assess for trauma?

Yes, I feel that it is essential for all health professionals to be educated and trained on trauma and how to identify and treat it appropriately. ACEs awareness and engagement on a national level are imperative to ensure students are healthy, safe, engaged , and supported so that they are ready to learn. Trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed environments allow educators the opportunity to collaborate in a way that supports a student's mental and physical health so that learning can occur. 

From your professional perspective, why is it essential to have a basic knowledge and understanding of the effects of grief and trauma? (How is this necessary in your future role?)

In order to provide the best service/care to my client, I need to understand grief and trauma. As a counselor, you will encounter these two things quite often. Assisting and providing strategies to your client/student can improve their well-being and create a positive relationship. 

Bence, Sarah. (2021). VeryWell Health. The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Trauma. 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/acute-trauma-vs-chronic-trauma-5208875

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Adverse Childhood Experiences. 

https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aces/index.html#:~:text=1%20in%206%20adults%20experienced,by%20as%20much%20as%2044%25.

Landrum, B., Knight, D. K., & Flynn, P. M. (2012). The Impact of Organizational Stress and Burnout on Client Engagement. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 42(2), 222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2011.10.011

McLeod, S. (2018). The formal operational stage of cognitive development.

https://www.verywellmind.com/formal-operational-stage-of-cognitive-development-2795459

Morton, B. M., & Berardi, A. A. (2018). Trauma-informed school programming: Applications for mental health professionals and educator partnerships. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 11, 487–493. doi:10.1007/s40653-017-0160-1