What Makes an Experience Traumatic?

This video explains how trauma can take root when a child is unable to make sense of what happened—and how that confusion can lead to symptoms that speak in place of words.

Back to Course

Enroll Today

This video explores what makes an experience traumatic—not just the event itself, but how it clashes with a child’s internal expectations and capacity to understand it. Using relatable examples, we look at how trauma can become “unmetabolized,” leading to anxiety, withdrawal, or distress that surfaces over time. You’ll learn how seemingly small or silent moments can leave a child struggling to speak about what happened, and why recognizing these internal ruptures is key to healing.

Common Pain Points

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt.

Feeling Confused by a Child’s Reactions

Parents often struggle to understand why a child is so distressed by something that seems ordinary or manageable to others.

Minimizing or Overlooking Early Trauma

Without clear “proof” of harm, parents may question whether an experience really counts as trauma—and may miss the signs until symptoms escalate.

Uncertainty About How to Talk About the Past

It can be difficult to know how—or whether—to name painful events, especially if a child is withdrawn, young, or has never spoken about it.

Module Benefits

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt.

Clarity Around the Nature of Trauma

Understand how trauma isn’t defined by the event alone, but by the meaning and impact it has on a child’s internal world.

A New Lens for Understanding Symptoms

Learn to recognize the lingering effects of unmetabolized experiences—even those your child may not consciously remember.

Tools for Gentle Exploration and Support

Gain language and strategies to help your child begin to process painful experiences, without overwhelming or retraumatizing them.