Discussion
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, in which 17 and ½ thousand adults were asked about their experiences related to abuse, neglect, drug dependency, divorce, separation, domestic violence, incarceration and was conducted by Dr. Bob Anda and Dr. Vince Felittie (Films Media Group, 2015). There is a significant correlation between poor health and an increased ACE score, in which 1 in 8 (12.6%) had over 4 ACEs and 67% had one ACE. Two childhood adversities are sexual abuse and emotional neglect, which cause depression and suicide. A person with an ACE score that is more than 4 is likely to suffer from depression 4 ½ times and suicide is 12 times more than an individual with an ACE score of 0 (Films Media Group, 2015). Sexual abuse and emotional neglect impact a child’s body and the formation of their brain. The brain’s reaction to stress is damaged due to the constant fear of sexual abuse and neglect, which causes the body to prepare for action or fleeing. Normal coping mechanisms become harmful to the child’s health and influence the brain’s anatomy and activities, hormones, immune system, and normal growth (Films Media Group, 2015). The body does not properly develop and is overwhelmed by fear and trauma, which causes health issues. Game-based cognitive-behavioral therapy encourages child and parent participation by utilizing but not limited to music, puppets, restorative games, role-playing, and art which improve relationships, social and emotional skills, and learning (Springer et al., 2016). This form of therapy is based on the growing requirements, skills, and hobbies of the child, in which goals and treatment are attainable. The several skills that are implemented are coping cognitively, relaxation, stress, and anger management. Children are taught to connect different experiences with the way they feel. Psychoeducation is an effective form of coping that helps individuals deal with trauma by teaching them the impact of trauma, resources, coping skills, caring for themselves, and addressing symptoms (Clark et al., 2014). It is important to teach clients that they are not responsible for what occurred, they do not have to be ashamed, and while encouraging and motivating them.

References

Clark, C., Classen C. C., Fourt, A., & Shetty, M. (2014). Treating the trauma survivor: An essential guide to trauma-informed care. ProQuest Ebook Central. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org

Films Media Group. (2015). TedTalks: Nadine Burke Harris’s how childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime. Films On Demand. https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wlD=96349&xtid=114600.