When is counselling indicated after a major traumatic life event?

Children and adolescents are more prone to developing psychological reactions to major adverse life events such as serious accidents, natural and man-made disasters and abduction. Post-traumatic stress disorder is the commonly occurring psychiatric diagnosis following such events. Chronic trauma from intrafamilial child abuse, domestic violence, wars and civil conflicts is likely to affect the developing brain and personality and have even more profound adverse effects. These effects are outlined and the treatment approaches which are evidence-based are described, together with easily accessed resource material.