Child therapists show how bushfire victims can help their children cope with trauma

Therapists say that those who survived Forest fires in California can help her children heal from the trauma of leaving everything they knew behind by continuing their daily routine, providing a sympathetic ear, and strengthening their security.

Meanwhile, firefighters continue to extinguish the fire wildfires engulfed Los Angeles CountyAs of Saturday, officials said at least 30 people remained missing, while two additional deaths brought the toll to 27.

“Many children are dealing with the devastating fires in California. As parents and caregivers, it is important to support children during this crisis by giving them the opportunity to share what they saw, heard and felt,” – Dr. Cindy Davis, Clinical Director of Positive Development in Pasadena, of California, Fox News Digital reported. “Encourage them to share their experiences and be open to any form of communication. Some may repeat the same story while others prefer not to say much. Let them choose when and how to share. Consider your child’s experiences during a disaster—do they evacuate, see houses on fire, or witness fear? In particular, pay attention to the topics of younger children, as they often reflect their problems and help them to understand. their feelings.”

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Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical School, explained that caused fires “tremendous and permanent loss” for both adults and children.

Burnt-out classic cars stand as ghosts after being destroyed by a wildfire in Altadena, California, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

“The most important thing now for children is to make them feel that they and you, their parents, are safe,” she advised. “Parents should often explain, ‘We’re safe because’ or ‘here’s our safety plan’ or ‘we need to start our safety plan and once we get there I can answer all your questions.’ Anticipate and respond to children’s repeated concerns about their safety and that of their loved ones. Try to do nice things together by showing that you feel safe, like reminding them that the most important thing, no matter what you’ve lost, is that you’re together and safe where you are and will be.’

One way to help children feel safe among the chaos of moving allows them to express their preferences about things they can control, such as a new room, school or activity, LCSW therapist Samantha Silverman told Fox News Digital.

“Plan activities together to explore the new city and make it feel like home,” suggested Silverman. “Keep a consistent routine to provide a sense of stability and security. Include comforting traditions or activities that remind them of home, such as family meals or bedtime rituals. Help your child acclimate by exploring the new city together, visiting local parks, schools, or libraries. Encourage participation in social or extracurricular activities to help them make new friends and create a sense of belonging.”

La Jolla, Calif. child psychiatrist Josh Feder, MD, who explained that children “need extra support” during this time, advised parents to make sure their children are in a safe place with fresh air and cautioned against watching the news about fires near children.

“Use notifications on your phone to get important updates,” he said. “It’s important to tell the truth, but not doing it is too scary. For example, “Our house burned down, but we are safe now.” Our task 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/AP)

Saltz explained that wildfires create a stressful situation for both adults and children, but they can survive hardships.

“The human capacity for resilience is such that most of these people will eventually deal with these losses to rebuild their lives, but the more resources and support they get, the more likely it is and the less painful it will be,” she said.

Steven Soros of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.