Healing the psychological wounds of children exposed to violence
A traumatic event will affect over 25% of American youth by age 16, with potential consequences ranging from impaired learning to depression & drug abuse. Family & Children’s Service (F&CS) trauma therapists provide immediate counseling for children and adolescents who have been raped or abused, whose caregivers have been murdered, or who have witnessed fatal accidents, shootings or violence. Therapists often work with the Metro Nashville Police Department to provide counseling when police identify children who have been involved in domestic violence or other traumatic events. We then provide on-going counseling to help prevent long-term negative effects of the experience. Family members are included in therapy so that they are better able to support the young person’s healing process.

As a service to the community, Family & Children’s Service provides on-going training in child development, psychological and family response to trauma, indicators of child abuse, evidenced-based practices, and other trauma related topics for police officers, DCS case managers, teachers, other professionals and community residents.
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Community Impact
307 children and 177 families received help in healing from the trauma of violence in 2006-07.
   • 89% of children who attended 2 or more sessions were able to cope in healthy ways
     with trauma reminders and showed better school performance and social skills
   • Parents of children who received trauma counseling were better able
     to advocate for and support children.


If your child has experienced a trauma:
   • Keep calm
   • Reassure your child of his or her safety
   • Give positive messages such as “You will make it through this, I am proud
      of you for telling, or what happened to you/us was not your fault”.
   • Listen
   • Answer questions honestly
   • Avoid pressuring your child to talk
   • Provide positive, non-judgmental emotional support
   • Avoid asking ‘Why’ questions
   • Adults also need help when trauma occurs. Be careful not to put your child
     in the position of being an emotional support for you. Seek therapy from
     another adult for yourself instead.

Common Trauma Related Symptoms in Children and Adolescents may include:
   • Upset at the thought of the event
   • Reenacting themes of the event through play or artwork
   • Trouble sleeping, falling asleep, nightmares, or waking in the middle of the night
   • Difficulty concentrating
   • Shame, guilt and/or self-blame
   • Anxiety, worrying
   • Depressed mood, easily frustrated, aggressive behaviors with peers or adults
   • Regressive behavior typical of a younger child
   • Withdrawal from others or from normal activities,
   • Drop in school performance

Contact Information
If your child has experienced a traumatic event or if you would like more information on Family & Children’s Service trauma counseling services,
contact:New Client Services 615-340-9731.