Children who have experienced trauma often display behaviors that may seem confusing or unpredictable. These behaviors are not random but are deeply connected to how a child’s brain has learned to respond to stress, fear, and uncertainty.
To support CASA volunteers in navigating these challenges, VOICES is hosting a private training series with Robyn Gobbel, a leading expert in trauma-responsive care. Gobbel’s work focuses on helping caregivers and advocates understand the brain-behavior connection, offering strategies to foster safety, connection, and regulation for children who have experienced adversity.
One key takeaway from her approach is that traditional discipline methods often don’t work for children with trauma histories. Instead, trauma-informed advocacy emphasizes co-regulation- helping children feel safe in their relationships first, so they can eventually learn to regulate their emotions and behaviors on their own.
For those interested in learning more, Robyn Gobbel explores these concepts in her latest book, Big Baffling Behaviors, as well as on her podcast, where she discusses practical ways to support children who struggle with emotional and behavioral regulation.
By increasing awareness and understanding, we can all play a role in creating safe, supportive environments where children can heal and thrive.
