What Your Child’s Body Remembers When the Hard Part Is “Over”
The difficult experience ended – but your child is still on edge.
They’re more anxious now. They startle easily.
They’re avoiding things they used to love, and they’re getting angry faster than the situation warrants.
As a parent, you’re left watching and wondering: “What’s happening with them?”
You catch yourself thinking: “Why does this still affect them so much?”
Most importantly, you’re asking yourself: “How do I help them feel safe again?”
What Those Reactions Are Telling You
Here’s what those reactions are telling you:
Their mind and body haven’t finished processing what happened.
Even though the hard thing is over, their body is still responding like it isn’t.
It’s not defiance, and it’s not a personality shift.
It’s a nervous system doing exactly what nervous systems do when trauma isn’t fully processed.
Helping Your Child Put Down Some of the Weight They’ve Been Holding
When I start working with your child, I don’t start with the hard stuff.
The work begins with safety: I help your child feel emotionally and physically settled, step by step, before we move anywhere near the difficult memories.
I’m certified in TF-CBT, which was built specifically for children and families dealing with difficult emotional experiences. It establishes a foundation of safety first, then revisits difficult memories gradually to enable their release.
EMDR training adds another layer: it helps the brain complete what it couldn’t finish in the moment, so it stops ambushing from inside the body. EMDR is safe for children, and the fact that it doesn’t require revisiting or reliving the traumatic memory in order to release it is a huge plus.
Some clients may do well with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I use these modalities when the situation seems to require them.
We’ll also bring attention to the body: somatic therapy, mindfulness, breathing, noticing tension, playful movement, drawing, grounding activities, storytelling, and games.
Sometimes a session looks like therapy. Other times, it looks like play. All the time, I’m present with your child, supporting them with expert care.
Your Child, More Like Themselves Again
Over time, you’ll begin noticing small but meaningful shifts.
Sleep comes easier.
The child you knew – curious, connected, able to move through hard feelings without being hijacked by them – starts showing back up.
You watch them open back up socially.
Let’s Discuss How I Can Help
Ready to take the next step?
I’d love to hear from you.
Book your free 30-minute consultation by emailing jessicacohenlcsw@gmail.com.