Resources – Clinicians
As a professional or clinician, providing a trauma-focused approach is critical to serving a traumatized child or youth and his/her caregivers. Following are a combination of hand selected articles, handouts, links, and videos that we believe will help you in your role with maltreated and traumatized children. Our hope is that this approach will provide you with further clinical strategies and guidelines necessary to support caregivers and children/youth through the lens of trauma.
These materials are a collection from our own clinicians and field experts as well as other credible professionals who practice in the realm of complex trauma. These materials are organized in a topical layout and part of our commitment to you will be to continue to build on these resources to provide you with the ongoing support that you need.
We ask that you respect the copyright applications of material on this site as well as those on other sites that we recommend to you.
You will notice that some of our resources are free and others will require a CTR membership to access. Sign up here.
Below you will find some resources that we believe will give you an understanding of Complex Trauma and its effects on children and youth. These are a great starting place in understanding the impact complex trauma has on the brain and how we can better support our children towards healing. These materials have been specially chosen for professionals. If you would like to see the full list of resources please click here.
What's the Fuss About Complex Trauma
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Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents
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The Science of Neglect & the Developing Brain
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The Human Brain by Bruce Perry
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The Impact of Toxic Stress
Learn MoreClinician-Specific Resources
ABORIGINAL/INDIGENOUS
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … |  |
| Trauma and Culture | Trauma and Culture The purpose of this article is to highlight key considerations when … |  |
| Inter-Generational Trauma | Inter-Generational Trauma by Fred Chou Sandy was a young adolescent boy that was currently … | |
| Trauma and Identity | Fourteen-year old Malia is a male of Caucasian and Somalian descent who has lived … | |
| Childhood Trauma Series in Indian Country | This article specifically address’ the different kinds of trauma that Indigenous children are exposed to and the reactions that may evolve (ie: ACEs, PTSD & affects in home and school). |  |
ACEs
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| ACE Score Calculator | ACEs are potentially traumatic events that can have a lasting impact on youth and adults. This simplified calculator will help you determine what your ACE score is. | |
| ACES and COMPLEX TRAUMA | In my previous post, I talked about the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACEs) and … | |
| ACES SCORE and the correlation to chronic illness | An introductory video on the impact of childhood trauma, ACES and the connection between life long and chronic health conditions. Dr Jeffrey Brenner states, “I believe ACE scores should become a vital sign, as important as height and weight”. | |
| What are ACE’s? | A short 5 min. video overview of ACEs, what they are and how they impact on lifelong issues over the course of a lifetime. | |
| ACES TOO HIGH – Childhood Trauma can lead to lifelong illness | Ongoing adversity in childhood leads to a chronic state of “fight, flight or freeze.” Researchers at Yale had recently shown that when inflammatory stress hormones flood a child’s body and brain, they alter the genes that oversee our stress reactivity, re-setting the stress response to “high” for life. | |
ADOPTION
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Adoption – An Effective Intervention | A scientific study on adoption as an effective intervention in the developmental domains of physical growth, attachment security, cognitive development, school achievement, self-esteem, and decreased behavioral problems. | |
ANXIETY
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Yoga as an Intervention for Complex Trauma | Yoga for Trauma by Lisa Frede Jaime sat cross legged on her new yellow … | |
| Back to School Shopping | I went to the mall today and I was surrounded by parents and their … | |
| Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child | Navigating anxiety is an essential life skill that will serve them in the years to come. In the heat of the moment, try these simple phrases to help your children identify, accept, and work through their anxious moments. | |
| My Child is Anxious | This blog written by an educator gives insight and practical tools into how to help your anxious child. | |
ATTACHMENT
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| How Abuse & Neglect Drive Attachment Problems | Dr. Karyn Purvis explains in this audio bite the attachment cycle and how it affects a child behaviorally and neurochemically when he or she expresses a need that is met or, conversely, when that need is not met and the impact of this cycle on a child’s behavior, self-regulation, and mental health. | |
| Attachment: Why it Matters Preview | In this 8 minute video, Dr. Karyn Purvis explains the importance of attachment and the difficulties presented for children that come from maltreated backgrounds. “All Children need to know that they’re precious and unique and special. But, a child that comes from a hard place needs to know it more desperately”. | |
BEDWETTING
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Ending Children’s Bedtime Problems | This study explores the link between a positive bedtime behavior and a small tangible reward in reducing disruptive bedtime behavior, night waking and problem behavior during waking hours. Clinicians suggest an intervention plan that is tangible for caregivers to implement. | |
BRAIN & NEGLECT
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| The Three Core Concepts in Early Development | Healthy development in the early years provides the building blocks necessary for the developing child. This three-part video series gives us a much better understanding of how early experiences are built into our bodies and brains, for better or for worse. | |
| The Human Brain | Dr. B.D. Perry gives a brief introduction to core concepts regarding brain structure and function that provide the basis for developmentally sensitive and trauma-informed caregiving, education and therapy. | |
| The Science of Neglect & the Developing Brain | Chronic neglect can actually disrupt and weaken the developing brain architecture. This 20 page article provides scientific analysis of the effects of neglect, implications as well as the impact of intervention for maltreated children. | |
BRAIN GAMES FOR KIDS
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
BRAINS: KIDS & DEVELOPMENT
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
BRAIN AND STRESS
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Back to School Shopping | I went to the mall today and I was surrounded by parents and their … | |
| The Three Core Concepts in Development & The Impact of Toxic Stress | This three-part video series depicts how advances in neuroscience give us a better understanding of how early experiences are built into our bodies and brains, the impact of toxic stress and the circuitry of the brain in the development of a child. | |
THE BRAIN: AN EXPLANATION
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| The Hand Model of the Brain | This is a short but impacting visual on how our brains are structured and the connection between emotional regulation (2.30 mins) | |
DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF CHILDREN
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
EMOTIONAL REGULATION
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Relationship Repair | Relationship Repair by: Dr. Kirk Austin It seemed that every time Johnny returned from … | |
EFFECTS OF TRAUMA
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| The Invisible Suitcase: Behavioral Challenges of Traumatized Children | Children who enter the foster care system typically arrive with at least a few personal belongings but many also arrive with another piece of baggage, one that they are not even aware of. They have: an “invisible suitcase” filled with the beliefs they have about themselves, the people who care | |
| The Role of Healthy Interactions and it’s Role in Healing Children from Trauma | This article examines the impact of childhood trauma, its effect and the role of healthy relational interactions in buffering the impact of trauma on children. | |
INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Intergenerational Trauma | Intergenerational Trauma (IGT) refers to the transmission of trauma from one generation to the next. It is the notion that “traumatic experiences endured during childhood or adulthood, might profoundly influence the well-being of their offspring”. | |
INTERVENTION & HOPE
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| The Power of a Caring Adult | This article supports the quote that, “Every child who winds up doing well has had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult.” | |
MENTAL ILLNESS
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
MINDFULNESS
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Yoga as an Intervention for Complex Trauma | Yoga for Trauma by Lisa Frede Jaime sat cross legged on her new yellow … | |
POLICY
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
PLAY
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
PTSD & CHILDREN
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| The Heavy Toll Of PTSD And Trauma On The Body And Mind | Trauma and PTSD are silent diseases. Victims often feel isolated and misunderstood and people suffering from PTSD may feel frozen in time, reliving their traumatic experience over and over. Continue reading to see how you can support those suffering from these debilitating conditions. | |
| PTSD in Children – An Introduction | This article provides an overview of PTSD in children. While targeted for an interdisciplinary audience, portions may be helpful to parents and caregivers living with children suffering with PTSD. | |
RESILIENCY
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| The Power of Affirmation and Resiliency Statements | In this video, Chris Ulmer takes the time to pay several compliments to each and every one of the eight students in his special education classroom. This is the power of affirmation and resiliency statements in action. | |
SELF CARE FOR CLINICIANS
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Healthy Team Functionality | Factors that can influence the level of Care Team Functionality by David Brown I … | |
| Clinicians: Caring for Yourself and How to Work with High-Risk Children and Families | This 18-page article, highlights understanding and preventing secondary traumatic stress when working with traumatized and maltreated children. | |
SLEEP
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| The REST MODEL (On Sleep) | Dr. Austin, one of CTR’s clinicians, provides some practical strategies framed around the REST MODEL that will aid caregivers with helping children with bedtime routines. |  |
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Building Empathy Through Reading | BUILDING EMPATHY THROUGH READING By Kenzi Dirks, M.A., R.C.C. “We really emphasize saying … | |
| Relationship Repair | Relationship Repair by: Dr. Kirk Austin It seemed that every time Johnny returned from … | |
| CARE FOR KIDS – A School District’s Initiative for Social and Emotional Learning Pays Off | A testimonial about how Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky are seeing positive results from a district-wide commitment to the CARE for Kids program (Social And Emotional Learning) made just two years ago (6:31 mins). | |
TRAUMA
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Trauma, Brain & Relationship: Helping Children Heal | This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships. | |
| Inter-Generational Trauma | Inter-Generational Trauma by Fred Chou Sandy was a young adolescent boy that was currently … | |
| Let’s Learn Together | This booklet aims to provide an insight into the many challenges that adopted children face, why these challenges might arise and various tips and ideas on how to manage key areas of difficulty for both parents and teachers. | |
| Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators | This “Toolkit” on trauma, gives information for educators, parents and caregivers, including facts, suggestions, psychological and behavioral impact of trauma by grade level and self care. | |
TRAUMA: ITS EFFECT
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Trauma, Brain & Relationship: Helping Children Heal | This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships. | |
TRAUMA INFORMED CAREGIVING
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Trauma, Brain & Relationship: Helping Children Heal | This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships. | |
| 10 Questions Foster/Adopted Parents Ask | Specialists offer helpful insights and practical advice in response to some critical questions that are commonly asked by adoptive and foster parents – video content. | |
TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICE
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Trauma, Brain & Relationship: Helping Children Heal | This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships. | |
| How to Implement NMT | This article will aid you in learning what trauma-informed care looks like for an organization, its staff, families and youth. Inclusive of a case study using NMT. | |
| What is NMT? | NMT is a multidimensional assessment “lens” designed to guide clinical problem solving by facilitating the integration of a developmentally sensitive, trauma-informed clinical methodology with traumatized and maltreated children and youth. | |
TRAUMA & INTERVENTION
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| What’s In A Name | What’s in a Name? Lionel was moody in recent weeks. His parents noticed that … | |
| Trauma and Identity | Fourteen-year old Malia is a male of Caucasian and Somalian descent who has lived … | |
| Maltreatment and the Effect of Trauma on the Developing Child | This article analyzes how early childhood experiences shape a child. This article highlights how traumatic experiences and neglect impact on the neurobiology of the developing brain and the integration of the 6 core strengths towards healing. | |
| Ways to Help a Developmentally Traumatized Child | This article focuses on key insights that staff members working with traumatised children in various settings might find useful. He address’ three components to help ensure that staff provide the essential context these children need to heal and get back on the appropriate developmental path. | |
TRAUMA SENSITIVE SCHOOLS
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Trauma, Brain & Relationship: Helping Children Heal | This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships. | |
TRAUMATIC STRESS
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Hyperarousal and Stress Response Patterns | This video is an introduction to a variety of adaptive responses that can be used under threat, with a focus on the hyperarousal and dissociative continuum. | |
| Sensitization and Tolerance | This 10 minute video gives an introduction to the crucial role that patterns of stress response system activation play in pathology and healing. | |
| The Science of Neglect & the Developing Brain | Chronic neglect can actually disrupt and weaken the developing brain architecture. This 20 page article provides scientific analysis of the effects of neglect, implications as well as the impact of intervention for maltreated children. | |
| Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents | This article focuses on child traumatic stress, especially that most commonly found among children involved with the child welfare system and looks at effects of child traumatic stress and the most effective treatments. | |
TRAUMA AND TEACHING
| Title | Summary | Access |
|---|---|---|
| What’s All the Fuss about Complex Trauma? | By Dr. Chuck Geddes Why is this new focus so important? For those of … | |
| Trauma, Brain & Relationship: Helping Children Heal | This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships. | |
| What’s In A Name | What’s in a Name? Lionel was moody in recent weeks. His parents noticed that … | |
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