Chapter 1 Theoretical overview and conceptual frameworks for working with children, young people and families after trauma. An examination of the role of communication, emotional regulation, support, parenting functions. Concepts that help us understand and help families after trauma. The benefits of family rituals. Understanding and working with meaning and the changing family dynamics. Chapter 2 This chapter will focus on the psycho-educational aspects of family and crisis intervention. It will provide guidelines and examples of early interventions, establishing safety and facilitating communication. Coping and self-help strategies, synchronising conversations and the appropriate use of specific therapeutic tasks. Explaining emotions, dealing with traumatic reminders and anniversaries. Enhancing and facilitating community support and other supportive networks. Dealing with families in groups following disasters Chapter 3 Conversations with children - issues to consider and guidelines for intervention. Establishing contact with children. How can children's trauma be accessed rapidly, but at the same time sensitively? What if children do not want to talk? Self-help methods for children. Methods of dealing with gender differences. Chapter 4 This chapter will deal with a variety of practical interventions and will include amongst others: cognitive behavioural methods of handling trauma symptoms - the use of imagery techniques and graded exposure (in real life and imagination). Using Pennebaker's writing methods, dealing with high levels of anxiety and arousal. Dealing with traumatic reminders and painful memories, sleep problems and intrusive thoughts and imagery. Using breathing techniques for sleep onset problems. The use of EMDR and related techniques. Cognitive behavioural approaches to trauma related guilt. Chapter 5 Dealing with loss and traumatic grief. Meaning construction in families. Shared meaning and c