To be used by qualified professionals ONLY.  Introduce each card as clinically and developmentally appropriate. Help the youth go through each card per category and endorse the trauma reactions which pertain to them by placing them in a separate pile. Use this as an opportunity for validation and further discussion. Once all cards have been reviewed and trauma reactions identified, check off the endorsed trauma reactions on the Trauma Reaction Card Checklist (available for download under the DOWNLOADS tab). Use this information  to tailor mental health treatment specifically to reduce the client's unique post-trauma symptoms. The treating clinician can readminister this tool during treatment to monitor symptomatology and adjust treatment accordingly.

 

This method can be completed in one session, or over several (for example focusing on one category per weekly session) if clients are highly symptomatic or trauma avoidant. This method can also be used with caregivers to help them gain an understanding of their child's unique trauma reactions, with the same benefit of normalizing behaviors.