Using Guided Imagery and Meditation with Children

What is Trauma?

When we think of the word trauma, we typically think of war, accidents, or 9/11.  However, trauma can be caused by a variety of things - domestic violence, medical procedures, falls, divorce, death of a family member, bullying, and natural disasters.

As Levin and Kline (2007) note, "Trauma is in the nervous system - not in the event."  This basically means that how the child processes the event determines whether it becomes traumatic to the child.

Levin and Kline (2007) identify 3 parts of the brain. 

1. The first is the neocortex, which is the thinking part of the brain.  The complexity of this part of the brain makes human unique.
2. The second is the limbic part of the brain, which deals with emotions and memory. 
3. The last part of the brain is the brain stem and cerebellum, which deals with survival instincts. 

Using Guided Imagery and Meditation

When trauma occurs and is not processed, physiological sensations may remain in the brain stem and cerebellum - such as fear, hyperarousal, or constriction.  Our typical counseling techniques do not work when dealing with unresolved trauma. This part of the brain is not accessed by asking a child how they feel (e.g. happy, sad, angry) or by asking them to think about the situation. 

This brings us to guided meditation.  Guided meditation engages the child's entire being in using their five senses (touch, taste, smell, hearing, seeing).  It helps the child become in touch with 1) a relaxed state of being, the opposite of hyperarousal.  It also 2) gives the child the opportunity to access physiological sensations that may still exist from the trauma.  Often these sensations are semi-conscious or unconscious to the child, but may still impact the child.

Trauma Through a Child's Eyes, Levine & Kline (2007).

Examples

Below is an example of one guided meditation that can be used with children.

The video below is a good introduction to guided meditation for children.  However, I would recommend that children close their eyes throughout the entire meditation.  I find the video to be distracting.