Events

Parenting our children can be both rewarding and challenging. Parenting during the COVID-19 global pandemic has brought new challenges and fears as we have all experienced the isolation of lockdowns and social distancing, concerns for our health and safety, and the uncertainty of what the future will bring. Although families continue to adapt to the best of their abilities, the sense of isolation, loss of routine and structure, and lack of access to social supports and resources has been an overwhelming and traumatic experience for many.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external blow to the head results in an alteration of brain function. These changes in brain function may range from “mild” with short-term consequences to “serious” with permanent injury and impairment. Such trauma may be accompanied by a wide variety of physical (e.g., seizures), cognitive (e.g., inhibition, working memory), affective (e.g., emotional dysregulation), and behavioral (e.g., impulsivity) impairments that have significant implications for the impacted individual, his or her family, and society as a whole.

Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is an overarching philosophy, framework, and organizational structure designed to better understand and recognize the impact of trauma on the individual through a strengths-based perspective. Because clients who seek services from mental health and substance use treatment providers frequently have histories of trauma exposure, knowledge of TIC is imperative for professionals working within these settings.