Running head: Family Matters 1
Family Trauma Assessment
Kiari Walker
Liberty University
TRMA 810
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Abstract
Due to my absence of immediate family background, this paper utilizes extended family
life. It considers the consequences of trauma as manifested through the different life changes that
affect the family members. Each part focuses on one type of trauma—combat, critical illness, or
major financial stress—comparing the person’s age at the trauma, the characteristics of the event,
and their responses. The discussion integrates features of these experiences and compares them
with the effects of the universals and the differentials to speak about the general influence on
family relationships and patients’ psychological states. Cases are employed as teaching aids to
reason with the obtained theoretical knowledge about the impact of trauma while stressing that
psychological practices should be contextualized. The evaluation of the analysis employs the
sources to offer probable assistance in the recovery process, proving that the paper is consonant
with the modern psychological understanding of trauma.
Keywords:
Family Trauma
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Coping Strategies
Psychological Impact
Trauma Recovery
Counseling Services
Resilience
Support Groups
Chronic Illness
Economic Hardship
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Family Trauma Assessment
Knowledge about family trauma is necessary to comprehend all spheres that may be
affected due to the presence of trauma in a person’s life. Family-related trauma can be derived
from marital violence, child abuse, the bereavement of a family member, or from witnessing a
trauma. These can result in complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), which hinders the
affected person's emotional well-being and capacity to develop normal, healthy intimate
relationships. The importance of family trauma treatment is rooted in the fact that trauma has
become an essential proponent of the psychological condition of every family member. There is
a realization that childhood trauma affects family functioning, which hinders interpersonal
relationships for most significant support and nurture. Additionally, family trauma may never be
resolved over the years since it creates a culture of violence and emotionally dysfunctional
behavior and, therefore, transfers the trauma response from one generation to another.9
9 Similarly, Perkins et al., (2023) pointed out that for treating conditions such as complex
PTSD and dissociative disorders, it may be necessary to consider information on family
functioning that may have contributed to the development of the symptoms. This notion is very
important because the family environment has a special role in either supporting recovery or
continuous re-victimization. Sanderson further notes that, to counsel those affected by family
trauma, one has to master certain kinds of skills, and most importantly, the kind of skills that will
enable one to work on the root causes of the trauma, which are found in the family structure.
Regarding survivors of CSA, sexual violence, and domestic abuse, incorporating family-centered
therapies into the therapeutic processes of such clients enhances the chances of having effective
treatment interventions. Furthermore, Katzman et al., (2022) explain that it is crucial to diagnose
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the signs of trauma in the concerned family members early because of the possible effects of
acute stress, or PTSD. Based on the family trauma cases and their impact, early intervention is
effective in minimizing the psychological consequences on the family members and assists in
early recovery, maintaining the functions and mental well-being of a family. With awareness of
different facets of family trauma, therapists and counselors can properly aid people and families
in bringing recovery and strength.9
Assessments
A small summary of the assessments goes here.
Trauma Event 1: Car Accident
Family Member: Grandmother (Doris, age 47 at the time of the incident)
Nature of Trauma: After a train failed to merge, Doris was hit and dragged half a mile. Doris,
at 47 years old, experienced numerous bone fractures and internal hemorrhage through a very
serious car accident. This incident had not only injured her but also had serious psycho-
organizational consequences.
Coping Strategies: Physical therapy, family support. Doris’ recovery involved extensive
physical therapy and the unwavering support of her family. The physical rehabilitation helped
her regain mobility, while the emotional support from family members provided a sense of
security and hope.
Outcome and Counseling: The details about the process of recovery and the psychological
aftermaths of the event, as well as the counseling services that were employed, This resulted in
restricted mobility for the rest of the family members and a fear of traveling from other related
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causes of the trauma. The psychotherapy services used in counseling were significant in assisting
Doris in managing his anxiety and depression, hence his recovery. In an article by Katzman and
fellow authors, dated 2022, the study reveals that old people who undergo thorough post-trauma
treatment involving psychological counseling have better outcomes in terms of recovery.
Trauma Event 2: War Experience
Family Member: Battle buddy, Shamika, age 30 during the war)
Nature of Trauma: PTSD from military service. Shamika, who served in the military at the age
of 30, returned home with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after witnessing and
experiencing the horrors of war.
Coping Strategies: Veterans’ support groups, art therapy. To manage his PTSD, Shamika
participated in veterans’ support groups, which provided a community of peers who understood
his experiences. Additionally, art therapy helped him express and process her trauma.
Outcome and Counseling: Impact on mental health in the long run, the help that was provided.
Still, Shamika had flashbacks and anxiety issues, so the support does not seem to have benefited
her much. The long-term counseling aimed at teaching her ways of dealing with her PTSD. In his
study conducted on the topic, Bessel Van der Kolk (2014) reveals the usefulness of group
therapy and exploiting creativity through artwork in eradicating PTSD in veterans.
Trauma Event 3: Loss of a Child (Stillborn)
Family Member: Bestfriend (Trierra, age 16 at the time of the incident)
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Nature of Trauma: Emotional impact of losing a young child (stillborn). Trierra experienced
profound grief and depression after the loss of her child (stillborn) at the age of 16.
Coping Strategies: Support groups for grieving parents, personal counseling. She joined support
groups for grieving parents, which provided a safe space to share her sorrow and find solace in
others’ experiences. Personal counseling sessions helped her navigate her complex emotions and
start the healing process.
Outcome and Counseling: Case presentation concerning the subject of emotional healing and
allocation of personal reserves. Group and individual therapies helped Trierra gradually restore
her emotional state and develop the mechanisms of psychological protection. Ray, (2015) writing
on Lost Children, Lonely Parents: How Parents’ Grief Aids Children’s Grieving sheds light on
the need to seek support and counseling for grieving parents.
Trauma Event 4: House Fire
Family Member: Cousin (David, age 19 at the time of the incident)
Nature of Trauma: Trauma from losing a home in a fire. David, at 19, lost his home and all his
possessions in a devastating house fire, which left him feeling helpless and disoriented.
Coping Strategies: Community support, psychological counseling. Community support played a
vital role in his recovery, providing immediate relief and resources. Psychological counseling
helped David deal with the trauma and loss, guiding him through the rebuilding process.
Outcome and Counseling: Life after the trauma, how therapy works. The above analysis
revealed that David’s strength was strengthened by community support and counseling to
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achieve a normal life and feel safe again. A paper by Lebowitz, (2016) shows that community
support and counseling are important in the recovery from disaster trauma.
Trauma Event 5: Serious Illness
Family Member: Battle buddy (Halun, diagnosed at age 25)
Nature of Trauma: Dealing with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Halun was diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis (MS) at 25, which posed significant challenges to her physical and mental
health.
Coping Strategies: Medication, help from friends or family, and changes in habits. Some of her
coping behaviors included strictly following the prescribed medical regimen, group participation,
and major alterations in lifestyle to accommodate the condition.
Outcome and Counseling: Living with a long-term illness, side effects on mental health.
Though the diagnosis caused a lot of stress, consultation and support sources enabled Halun to get
better mentally and come to terms with the new life. Lebowitz, (2016) in their article explains
that counseling and support groups enhance the quality of life of persons with chronic diseases
such as MS.
Trauma Event 6: Unemployment and Financial Crisis
Family Member: Mother (Trameka, age 47 at the time of the incident)
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Nature of Trauma: Stress and depression from long-term unemployment. Trameka faced
significant stress and depression after losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led
to a prolonged period of unemployment.
Coping Strategies: In those aspects, a career consultant, a financial planner, and family social
services can help. To cope, Trameka got into career counseling and financial planning to deal
with the economic consequences. Specifically, the family’s encouragement was the key to her
persistent effort during this period.
Outcome and Counseling: The process of recovery from the financial crisis and the role of
counseling in helping people return to employment. Career counseling is also critical in the
process of recovering from an economic trauma and getting a job, as shown where Trameka was
and where career counseling brought her before getting another job. A study by Ray (2015)
suggests that proper career guidance can boost the employment rates of the affected groups as
well as their mental well-being.
Conclusion
Studying these fictional trauma events shows how complex and diverse the severity of
the traumatic processes affecting people and their families can be. All the cases highlight the
need for early intervention, proper care, and counseling, which would help in rebuilding and
strengthening the victims. Proper processing of the trauma includes support from the community,
consulting with specialists, and attending systematic meetings of a therapeutic community. The
hypothetical treatment utilized in this paper demonstrates that the approach to client management
has to be context-relevant and specific to the client’s case. When reading such narratives, one
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comprehends how traumatic it is and how crucial it is to have detailed and sensitive care since it
entails people’s mental health and well-being.
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References
Katzman, B., Harel, T., Giladi, A., & Koslowsky, M. (2022). Psychological Well-being and
Behavioral Interactions during the Coronavirus Pandemic. In Google Books. Cambridge
Scholars Publishing. https://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=WeC6EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA58&dq=Green
Lebowitz, A. J. (2016). Relational Satisfaction from Providing and Receiving Support is
Associated with Reduced Post-Disaster Depression: Data From Within One Year of the
2011 Japan Triple Disaster. Community Mental Health Journal, 53(2), 202–214.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-016-9995-4
Perkins, D. D., Sonn, C., Lenzi, M., Xu, Q., Ronelle Carolissen, Portillo, N., & Serrano-García,
I. (2023). The global development of community psychology is reflected in the American
Journal of Community Psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12696
Ray, A. (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.
The Permanente Journal, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/14-211
