What is CARE Trauma Resilience Intervention?

The CARE Trauma Resilience Intervention is a brief psychological treatment program designed to promote positive wellbeing and resilience. It’s for young children who have experienced medical events (e.g. injury, illness, invasive medical procedures, PICU admission) and are currently displaying mild or moderate symptoms of Paediatric Medical Traumatic Stress (PMTS).

PMTS is the most widely used term to describe the psychological and physiological responses children and family members may have during and after medical events. The symptoms of PMTS vary and present differently in children of different ages and developmental levels. Approximately 80% of hospitalised children and their families will experience at least one symptom of PMTS. It significantly affects approximately 1 in 4 children in the first month after experiencing an injury, illness or hospital admission. Research has shown that children experiencing PMTS can benefit from the CARE Trauma Resilience Intervention.

Program overview

1. All eligible children are screened for signs of medical traumatic stress through a questionnaire, completed by a parent or caregiver in the first weeks after injury or illness.
2. The CARE Trauma Resilience Intervention program is provided to families whose children are affected by PMTS symptoms.
3. Children are referred to more intensive psychological support or other services if needed.

What’s involved

The CARE program involves three 60 – 90 minute sessions with a psychologist. These sessions can be completed face-to-face or by telehealth with a caregiver and the child if they are old enough.

The information and resources provided in the program teach children and parents skills to manage medical traumatic stress through:

• Connection: strengthening relationships to support the child and family
• Awareness: education about medical traumatic stress and positive coping strategies
• Reflection: processing the medical event/s through conversation, story and play
• Emotion regulation: learning skills to manage big emotions.

When a family has finished the program, further provisional advice and support may still be needed. Families will be supported to find a service that is right for their needs.

Want to find out more?

Please use our online form to register your interest and we will be in touch to talk about the program. You can also email us at frankies-clubhouse@health.qld.gov.au.