Trauma Therapy

In a recent trauma therapy session, my daughter's therapist enacted her birth using a toy dog that gave birth to a stuffed puppy which was then adopted by a bunny.  Our therapist used everyone's real names and explained a bit as she modeled the process.  After she had finished, she paused to allow my daughter a chance to give input to the situation.  My daughter picked up the newborn puppy, gently carried it to me and placed it into my cupped hands with four simple yet powerful words, "This baby is hurt."  She then crawled into my lap, asking to be held and rocked.

Over the next several days at home, my little girl continued to care for the puppy.  She kept adding layers of protection to him from a tiny sock, to a hair band, to a piece of Bulgarian ribbon, and  several feet of medical gauze.  Finally, the puppy was deemed safe and left to rest on our couch, surrounded by the bustle of our family life.

But when will my hurt baby finally feel safe?