Trauma and Trauma-Related Disorders:

At the Sociopediatric Center (SPZ) in Wesel, an increasing number of children in residential youth care (foster children) are being referred — not only through a dedicated clinic but more broadly across the center. They differ in their behavior from children without experiences of child endangerment. In the in-house seminar, our team received training on the topic of childhood trauma-related disorders, with a focus on psychoeducation and counseling, delivered in a highly informative yet engaging and accessible way. The trained perspective and professional attitude our team developed following the training has strengthened our competence in handling this subject. Ms. Berger is highly recommended as a presenter.

The Clinic as a Safe Place:

In the SPZ and early intervention departments, we work with children who are known to have had experiences of child endangerment (foster children), as well as children and adolescents where such experiences may be suspected. To provide a sense of safety to both groups — and to support them in processing traumatic experiences to some degree, as well as disclosing them during the diagnostic process — a supervision process was initiated. With Ms. Berger’s support, we worked on creating greater security both for ourselves as staff and for our patients and their caregivers. Ms. Berger was able to inspire us on this subject through her exceptional professional expertise as well as her empathetic manner, and to set processes of change in motion.