Psychologist Offers Guidance For Families Coping with Trauma
Dr. Anka Vujanovic shares strategies for helping children and communities recover emotionally following a disaster.
As Central Texas begins to recover from the devastating floods that swept through the region, families are facing more than just physical damage. The emotional toll — especially on children — can be profound and long-lasting. Dr. Anka A. Vujanovic, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University, wants communities to understand how to navigate grief and trauma in the aftermath of disaster.
Vujanovic, who directs the Trauma and Stress Studies Center and the First Responder Consortium at Texas A&M, has spent her career studying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma recovery. Her work focuses on vulnerable populations including first responders, military veterans and survivors of interpersonal trauma.
She says that in the wake of a traumatic event, communication with children is critical.
“Conversations with children about the floods should be simple, straightforward and age-appropriate,” Vujanovic said. “Caregivers should monitor their children’s media exposure, especially when it involves graphic or traumatic content.”
She recommends that parents watch news coverage with their children when possible, so they can explain what’s happening and answer questions. “Creating a sense of safety and routine is essential to helping children regain a sense of control,” she said.
Signs Of Grief In Children
Children may not express grief in the same way adults do. Vujanovic notes that trauma and grief can manifest in a variety of behaviors, depending on the child’s age and developmental stage. These may include:
- Anger, tantrums or verbal and physical aggression
- Increased crying, separation anxiety or sleep disturbances
- Regression in behaviors such as bedwetting or toileting issues
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Risk-taking behaviors or non-suicidal self-injury in older children
- Talking about death or expressing feelings of hopelessness
“Caregivers should be prepared for a wide range of emotional responses,” she said. “Everyone’s healing journey is unique, and it’s important to make space for big feelings or even numbness.”
Supporting Emotional Recovery
Vujanovic emphasizes that recovery is not a linear process and that support must continue long after the initial crisis. She offers several strategies for families and communities to support healing:
- Maintain daily routines to provide structure and predictability
- Encourage healthy habits like eating well, staying hydrated, exercising and resting
- Limit exposure to distressing media coverage
- Create space for open conversations and emotional expression
- Seek professional help if distress persists or worsens over time
“While social support is crucial in the immediate aftermath of tragedy, it is just as imperative that support endures even months after the trauma,” she said.
First Responders Also Need Care
Vujanovic also highlighted the emotional toll on first responders, who often witness the most traumatic aspects of a disaster while working to help others.
“Our first responders are doing magnificent, life-saving work,” she said. “But they, too, may need time and space to process trauma. We’re here to support them through the First Responder Consortium at Texas A&M.”
A Message of Compassion
As communities begin to rebuild, Vujanovic’s message is one of compassion, resilience and the importance of connection.
“Our hearts are with the communities and families devastated by the floods,” she said. “We at Texas A&M University are here to help.”
Additional Resources
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute – Trauma and Grief Center
