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

Therapists say that survivors of Wildfires in California You can help your children recover from the trauma of leaving everything they know behind by continuing with their daily routines, providing an empathetic ear, and reinforcing their security.

As firefighters continue to battle the Wildfires consume Los Angeles CountyAuthorities said Saturday that at least 30 people remained missing, while two additional deaths raised the toll to 27.

“Many children are facing the devastation of the fires in California. As parents and caregivers, it is crucial to support children during this crisis by giving them space to share what they saw, heard and felt,” said Dr. Cindy Davis, director Positive Development clinic in Pasadena, California, told Fox News Digital. “Encourage them to share their experiences and be open to any form of communication. Some may repeat the same story, while others may prefer not to talk much. Let them choose when and how to share. Consider your child’s experience with the disaster. evacuate, Do they see burning houses or witness fear? Use these cues to guide your conversations. Specifically for younger children, pay attention to the themes in their play, as they often reflect their worries and help them process their feelings.

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Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical College, explained that the fires have caused “a tremendous and continuing loss” for both adults and children.

Burned classic cars remain as ghosts after being destroyed by a wildfire, Altadena, California, on Friday, January 10, 2025. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

“The most important thing for children now is to make them feel that they and you, their parents, are safe,” he advised. “Parents often have to explain, ‘We are safe because’ or ‘here is our safety plan’ or ‘we need to start our safety plan and once we get there, I can answer all your questions.’ Wait and answer the repeated children’s concerns about the safety of themselves and their loved ones. Try to do nice things together showing that everyone feels safe, like playing a game, no matter what they have lost, the most important thing is that you are together now. safe. Home is, and it will be, wherever you are.”

A way to help children feel safe in the midst of relocation chaos It allows them to express their preferences about what they can control, like a new room, school or activity, therapist Samantha Silverman, LCSW, told Fox News Digital.

“Plan activities together to explore the new city and make it feel at home,” Silverman suggested. “Maintain consistent daily routines to provide a sense of stability and security. Incorporate 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 o Encourage participation in community or extracurricular activities to help them make new friends and develop a sense of belonging.”

Child psychiatrist Josh Feder, MD, of La Jolla, California, who explained that children “need extra support” during this time, advised parents to make sure their children are in a safe place with clean air and cautioned that They should not watch news about fires around children. .

“Use alerts on your phone to get important updates,” he said. “It’s important to tell the truth but not be too scary. For example, ‘Our house burned down but we’re safe now.’ Our job 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 while wildfires create a stressful situation for both adults and children, they can overcome the difficulties.

“The human capacity for resilience is such that most of these people will eventually overcome these losses to get their lives back, but the more coping tools and support they can receive, the more likely it will be and the less painful it will be.” ” she said.

Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.