Tag Archives: trauma

Please don’t say “all kids do that” to adoptive and foster families…

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Dr. G

But when foster or adoptive parents like me hear that, it feels dismissive to the real grief, pain, and trauma our kids have experienced and how that history still influences their actions today. Usually when someone tells another parent “all kids do that,” the words are meant to be helpful, to soothe our nerves or encourage us in the midst of a hard parenting moment. But that’s not what your words do. Instead those words invalidate what we know to be true and minimize the extra layer of thinking that parenting kids from hard places requires. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Families, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged Adoption, all kids do that, attachment, child development, children's ministry, Disability Ministry, Family Ministry, Foster Care, Inclusion, Shannon Dingle, Special Needs Ministry, trauma | 75 Comments

The myth that love is always enough…

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Dr. G

Sadly, love isn’t always enough, and the implication that it is (or should be) with kids exposed to trauma or neglect is as destructive as the myth that mental illness is caused by a problem with sin or inadequate faith.
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Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Controversies, Families, Foster Care, Key Ministry | Tagged Adoption, church, Disability Ministry, Family Ministry, Foster Care, Key Ministry, love is always enough, myths, neglect, parent support, trauma | 9 Comments

The responsibilities of church leaders who promote adoption

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Dr. G

I’d like to challenge church leaders to assume responsibility for supporting their families when they pursue adoption ministry. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Families, Foster Care, Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged Adoption, church leaders, churches, Foster Care, Inclusion, Orphan Sunday, pastors, responsibility, trauma, trauma-informed | 4 Comments

A child psychiatrist’s discomfort with the Adrian Peterson case

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Dr. G

If we’re establishing a standard that parents implicated in situations like the Peterson case are going to be deprived of their livelihoods and due process rights, society will be creating a tremendous disincentive for those experiencing domestic violence to seek professional (or in many locations, spiritual) help, because all states have mandatory reporting requirements for professionals, and in 27 states, the legal mandate to report extends to clergy. Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Families, Key Ministry, PTSD | Tagged Adrian Peterson, Charles Barkley, child endangerment, Christian parenting, corporal punishment, physical abuse, Stephen Grcevich MD, trauma, whoopings | 2 Comments

Observations from a Christian Psychiatrist…Elliot Rodger and the Santa Barbara Killings

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Dr. G

We know that vulnerable kids experience enormous harm from harsh words and bullying, and our schools and institutions have appropriately taken steps to protect them. But what about protecting vulnerable kids from the impact of the highly sexualized culture in which we live? I’ve treated a number of kids in recent years who exhibit the effects of trauma resulting from exposure to sexual material or situations fairly common to daily life.
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Posted in Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged Autism, Christian psychiatrist, Elliot Rodger, Key Ministry, mental illness, narcissism, risk, Santa Barbara killings, Stephen Grcevich MD, trauma, violence | 6 Comments

Why are thousands of toddlers receiving ADHD medication?

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Dr. G

Why would a two or three year old NEED medication for ADHD?
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Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Families, Key Ministry | Tagged ADHD, Centers For Disease Control, medication, neglect, New York Times, preschoolers, toddlers, trauma | Leave a comment

What does “executive functioning” have to do with kids and church?

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Dr. G

Through identifying the other challenges executive functioning weaknesses present to a person’s ability to maintain an ongoing pattern of involvement with a local church, we hope to assist leaders in designing ministry environments and developing supports to welcome kids and families who were “unsuccessful” in previous experiences of church and strengthen their connection to the local church once they become attenders. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Intellectual Disabilities, Key Ministry | Tagged ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, children's ministry, church, Disability Ministry, executive functioning, Inclusion, intellectual disabilities, Key Ministry, trauma, youth ministry | Leave a comment

Key Ministry Training Survey

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Dr. G

We’re putting together our training offerings for the coming year, and want to know how we can be most helpful to your church’s staff and volunteers as you serve families impacted by disabilities.
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