Child therapist reveals how wildfire victims help their children cope with trauma
therapist says survivor California wildfires Children can be helped to heal from the trauma of leaving behind everything they knew by continuing their daily routines, providing an empathetic ear, and reinforcing their safety.
As of Saturday, officials said that while firefighters continued to battle wildfires in Los Angeles County, at least 30 people were still missing and two more were dead, bringing the death toll to 27.
“Many children are facing the devastation of California’s fires. As parents and caregivers, it is critical to support children during this crisis and give them the space to share what they are seeing, hearing and feeling,” said the center’s clinical director Dr. Cindy Davis said. “Encourage them to share their experiences and be open to any form of communication. Some may repeat the same stories, while others may be reluctant to talk more. Let them choose when and how to share. Consider your What are children’s experiences of disasters—do they evacuate, see a house on fire, or witness fear?
California wildfires: Basic phone numbers for Los Angeles area residents and how to help them
Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, explains, fire has been caused “A huge and ongoing loss” for both adults and children.
A burned-out classic car sits like a ghost after being destroyed by wildfire on Friday, January 10, 2025, in Altadena, California. (Derek Shook, Fox News Digital)
“The most important thing for children right now is for them to feel that they and you, their parents, are safe,” she advises. “Parents should always explain, ‘We are safe because,’ or ‘This is our safety plan,’ or ‘We need to activate our safety plan, and once we get there, I can answer all your questions.’ Expect and Answer Children’s recurring worries about their own safety and that of their loved ones is where home is safe.
One way to help your children feel safe Relocation chaos Let them express preferences for things they can control, such as a new room, school or activities, therapist Samantha Silverman, LCSW, told Fox News Digital.
“Plan activities together to explore a new city and make it feel like home,” Silverman suggests. “Maintain a consistent daily routine that provides stability and security. Incorporate comforting traditions or activities that remind them of home, such as family meals or bedtime rituals. Encourage them by exploring a new city together, visiting local parks, schools, or Get involved in community or extracurricular activities to help them make new friends and develop a sense of belonging.
Children “need extra support” during this time, explains Josh Feder, M.D., a child psychiatrist in La Jolla, Calif. He advises parents to make sure children are in a safe place with fresh air and warns against watching children News of fires happening around.
“Use alerts on your phone to get important updates,” he said. “It’s important to tell the truth but not make it too scary. For example, ‘Our house burned down, but we are safe now.'” Our job is to protect children and make them feel as safe as possible!
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A helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Ethan Swope/Associated Press)
Saltz explained that while wildfires are stressful for adults and children, they can get through them.
“Human resilience is such that most people will eventually overcome these losses and get their lives back, but the more coping tools and support they are given, the more likely and less painful that will be,” she said explain.
Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
