Contact
Lisa Marie ShaughnessySanté Center for Healing
214-592-3799
lisamaries@santecenter.com
April 24, 2020
Overview
Recent research has highlighted the unique stress experienced by parents when their children have special needs or mental health challenges. They may struggle with trauma of extreme meltdowns, medical emergencies, or high stress events. They also often report chronic levels of high stress with low social support. As a result, parents of kids who struggle are at an increased risk for depression, anxiety and symptoms of trauma. One study showed that parents of kids with autism have cortisol levels similar to soldiers in combat and it is common for parents of kids with special needs to report symptoms of PTSD.
Unfortunately, these parents are often not identified as needing therapeutic support in a timely manner and therapists may not recognize the symptoms of parenting trauma. Clinicians working with children or adolescents often report frustration that parents do not follow through on clinical recommendations. By recognizing parenting trauma and understanding the unique needs of this population, therapists will be better able to serve both parents and their children.
Objectives
Participants will be able to:
-
Identify signs that clients, or parents of clients, are struggling with trauma related toparenting
-
Understand how trauma may present during the different stages of grief as a parent copes with their child’s challenges or diagnosis.
-
Describe interventions useful for helping parents increase engagement in their child’s treatment
-
Describe interventions aimed at supporting couples who are struggling with parenting trauma
Presenter
Le Shepard,LPC is a mom by birth and adoption to kids with superpowers and special needs. Le is also an experienced counselor who specialized in working with adults and couples who are on difficult parenting journeys. Le has had numerous articles published and has been recognized for her advocacy efforts with the PCDH19 Alliance on behalf of her daughter. Le speaks to large and small groups about relationships, coping with diagnoses, and parenting. She provides online counseling for individuals or couples as well as groups for mom through her private practice,
.
2020 UPCOMING TEA MEETING DATES:
- Representing the related, core clinical elements of trauma (physcial, emotional, collective) to ensure diverse understanding;
- Collaborating and educating fellow clinician in state of art trauma treatment practices to improve clinical outcomes
