ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the traumatic experiences of children and the psychological effects common to these experiences. It discusses the role of parents, professionals, and particularly clinicians who intervene to support the lives of young adult refugees and children. The chapter outlines the effective and appropriate therapeutic intervention through the resilience focus intervention. Very young children of refugees, especially those under seven years of age, with whom we work at the Refugee Therapy Centre often present symptoms of post-traumatic stress, mainly nightmares and social anxiety. Although young children of refugees may not present generally with major posttraumatic symptoms, they will display post-traumatic symptoms in their play and drawing in which they repeat themes of the trauma they have experienced. Therapeutic response to trauma-related play and drawing in a caring and containing environment will facilitate a process of working through these unpleasant and violent memories.
