Should I encourage my child to talk about what happened after a school shooting?

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Hayley Sherwood
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Reston Psychological Center, P.C.
www.restonpsych.com  
(703) 437-3236

Dr. Sherwood is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice at Reston Psychological Center, P.C., in Reston, Virginia.  She specializes in parenting, family, and women's issues.  She has extensive experience with clients with a variety of emotional and behavioral difficulties in clinical, community, and school settings.  Dr. Sherwood received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Temple University in 2000.  She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Virginia Psychological Association, the Northern Virginia Society of Clinical Psychologists, and the National Register for Health Service Providers in Psychology.

Should I encourage my child to talk about what happened after a school shooting?

 

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Host: Should I encourage my child to talk about what happened after a school shooting?

Dr. Hayley Sherwood: Parents should encourage their child to talk about their concerns and express their feelings about a school shooting. Sometimes, a child or teen maybe reluctant to initiate a conversation. So you may need to check in to how he or she is feeling. If parents do not ask, a child may not tell you that he is concerned and may interpret your silence the signal that you don't care or that you don't want to talk about it.

Keep in mind that the age of your child makes a difference in how you talk about the tragedy. For instance, a young or school-age child may not understand the concept of violence, but might be able to talk with you about a child in school who has been mean to them. 1

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