Blog

So, what is a dog in a courtroom all about? For some of the children who come to Small Talk for a forensic interview, court may become a part of their lives. Most children have never seen the inside of a courtroom, let alone testified in one. Testifying can be a stressful and scary experience, especially for a child. Having a dog, such as Preston, available to go through the court process with a child is an added layer of support.

Read more about Fur, Four Legs, and Court

Cognitive Distortions and The Power of Thought

A thought can be a powerful thing. When an individual is faced with a traumatic event, thoughts can get jumbled and confused. In therapy, we call this a cognitive distortion. We use these distortions as a protective factor. Maybe we do this to confirm our beliefs, good or bad. Maybe it saves us from perceived failure. Going through a traumatic experience can make us more susceptible to these mental traps. Let’s highlight a few of the common distortions and look at ways we can shift our thinking in a more positive direction.

Read more about Cognitive Distortions and The Power of Thought

Self Care is Not Selfish

Often parents are told that taking care of themselves is selfish, that when they decided to become parents the option to take care of ourselves was given up. This pressure to do for everyone else without caring for yourself may be increased by the higher needs of the child you are caring for, and especially so after a traumatic event. Parents are sometimes afraid to ask for support as the fear of being asked why they didn’t stop the abuse or not reacting fast enough is too stressful.