Practitioners can use the workbook during crisis support to help a child or young person begin talking, drawing or writing about themselves and their experiences at a pace that feels manageable. The opening pages include a welcoming child-facing style, simple identity prompts such as name and age, and space for the child to record three things they like, helping sessions start with familiarity and connection.
The preface explains that the workbook was developed for children and young people who are being offered crisis support alongside their caregivers. It is intended for short, limited child psychiatric crisis work rather than as a complete trauma treatment manual, and the pages are not meant to be used in a strict order or all with every child.
Content is informed by established trauma-focused approaches, including models such as TF-CBT and CFTSI, while being adapted for practical use in Barnahus-style support. The emphasis is on tailoring the activities to the individual child’s needs, developmental stage, experiences and current symptoms, which makes it relevant for clinicians working with kids and teenagers after abuse, violence, loss or other distressing events.
The visible layout combines calm illustrations with simple written prompts, making it approachable for younger children while still suitable for some older children who benefit from a low-pressure workbook format. It can support conversations between a practitioner, child and caregiver, provide a structure for early sessions, and help adults notice what the child can say, write or draw when given a safe starting point.
The workbook was created by the Barnahus Team within the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Trauma Unit for the Stockholm region, drawing on clinical experience and established knowledge about trauma, trauma symptoms and interventions. The preface notes that practitioners should consult the accompanying handbook before using it and should have basic child psychiatric skills.
