Childhood Maltreatment, Trauma, and the Developing Brain

Traumatic experiences have been repeatedly associated with problematic brain architecture in children, resulting in a myriad of physical, sensory, emotional, behavioral, language, intellectual, and psychological problems. The specific neural systems affected have been found to be related to the nature and timing of the trauma during development. The functional impairment of a specific region is often related to stressors occurring during that region’s active development. Neuroscience is using this knowledge to expand and enhance existing treatment capabilities for play therapists. In this chapter, four fundamental neurodevelopmental principles are discussed, guiding the choice of interventions by brain region affected, the sequencing of intervention introduction, repetition of interventions, and pacing based on the child’s sense of felt safety. Utilization of these treatment algorithms is producing evidence of improved outcomes for children in play therapy.