What Defines Family Trauma and How Does it Impact a Child's Sense of Safety?

What defines family trauma and how does it impact a child's sense of safety?

Family trauma is a specific form of trauma that involves the violation of the family system, which is typically considered a child's primary safe space. When this environment is marked by abuse, exploitation, neglect, dysfunction, or chaos, it undermines the child's sense of safety and trust in their caregivers. These traumatic experiences can occur in varying degrees and combinations, affecting the child's development and emotional well-being depending on the severity and nature of the family dynamics.

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, 'How Childhood Abuse Impacts Adult Relationships,' presented by Kaytlyn Gillis, MSW LCSW-BACS.