Child Trauma: Effects on Emotional Development & Relationships

Hello. I’m Dr. Susan Smith-Pierce, Clinical Internship and Training Director at the Southwest Family Guidance Center and Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The program you are about to see is based on the work of Pia Mellody which focuses on addictions and relationships, and the effects of childhood trauma on emotional development. To introduce Mellody’s theories let’s get started with some basic ideas. The amount of attention, care, neglect, or abandonment a child receives from their primary caregivers has a direct impact upon how they will grow emotionally and how they will develop future relationships.

For example: If as a child I was taken care of by being affirmed, nutured and taught how to recognize and set limits then this is the value that I will take to my intimate relationships. If I hold the value that I am enough, then I have a boundary inside of myself that creates moderation. I live in action rather than reaction. This comes from functional bonding with the major caregiver in my life.

If my major caregiver used me to take care of themselves, I was used. My major caregiver was without boundaries, so I would learn that value comes from taking care of needy people and if I don’t do that, then I will feel guilty and believe that being relational is suffocating or abusive. If my major caregiver neglected and abandoned me, then I was shamed and believed I was worthless and unimportant. I would learn to see myself as one down and the other person as one up and believe that I can’t make it on my own and will need someone to take care of me. All relational trauma of children comes from enmeshment or neglect/abandonment. As mental health care providers these concepts are vital for us to understand and be able to identify as we work with families who are dealing with multiple stressors. Pia Mellody’s theories on the effects of childhood trauma in relation to emotional development became the foundation for the programs offered at The Meadows’ multi-disorder facility specializing in addiction treatment. More information on their facility can be found at www.themeadows.com. Another good resource on this topic is Pia’s latest book is The Intimacy Factor. I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief introduction to these important concepts and to Pia Mellody’s work. Feel free join me throughout this video series for a more in depth look at Pia Mellody’s theories and how they can be applied to the clinical work you are carrying out with your clients. Thanks again for watching.

About SWFGC&I:

Southwest Family Guidance Center & Institute: http://www.swfgc.org Here at Southwest Family Guidance Center and Institute (SWFGC&I) our specialty is helping families. By working with each member, we help strengthen the whole family system.

Our personalized approach includes a variety of therapy and case management services for individuals, children, teens, couples, and families. Our fundamental approach is based on collaborative evidence-based best practices interventions.

In addition to the clinical services provided SWFGC&I has a training institute offering a variety of educational opportunities. As a recognized training institute for therapists, we provide professional training, clinical supervision, internship site work, and seminars. Our clinical services and training programs serve many New Mexico communities including Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe.

About The Author Southwest Family Guidance Center & Institute: http://www.swfgc.org Here at Southwest Family Guidance Center and Institute (SWFGC&I) our specialty is helping families. By working with each member, we help strengthen the whole family system. Our personalized approach includes a variety of therapy and case management services for individuals, children, teens, couples, and families. Our fundamental approach is based on collaborative evidence-based best practices interventions. In addition to the clinical services provided SWFGC&I has a training institute offering a variety of educational opportunities. As a recognized training institute for therapists, we provide professional training, clinical supervision, internship site work, and seminars. Our clinical services and training programs serve many New Mexico communities including Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe. http://www.piamellody.com