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Prof Joy Osofsky Legacy Interview: Trauma-Informed Care for Children
Internationally recognised child psychology specialist on psychological support of children and their families following traumatic events
Special Guests
Prof Brenda Jones Harden & Prof Hiram Fitzgerald
“What a beautiful and emotional meeting! I grew today a bit more in my inside. Thank you Joy, Brenda, and Hiram.” ~ Pilar Fort
Professor Joy Osofsky
In this Legacy Interview, Joy Osofsky shares her wisdom and knowledge gathered over nearly half a century of work dedicated to raising awareness about childhood trauma, working with families in difficulty and developing effective early interventions.
She discusses how her own experience of early traumatic loss propelled her into a career focused on helping young children and families. Joy shares her journey of seeking out mentors and collaborators in the emerging field of infant mental health, such as Selma Fraiberg, Berry Brazelton, and Albert Solnit, who influenced her thinking and approach to working with young children.
Key points from the interview
- Joy emphasises the critical role of relationships in healing trauma and supporting healthy development in young children
- The importance of taking a developmental approach
- Understanding the impact of intergenerational and historical trauma
- Collaborating across disciplines to provide effective interventions for young children and families
- Joy shares her experiences working with children and families affected by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, and the lessons learned about supporting recovery and resilience
- Joy discusses her involvement in organisations like Zero to Three and the World Association for Infant Mental Health, which have been instrumental in advancing the field of infant mental health and promoting evidence-based practices
- Joy’s work on the Safe Babies Court Team model, which takes a more trauma-informed and developmentally-informed approach to working with young children in the child welfare system
Throughout the conversation, Joy’s passion for supporting young children and families is evident, as is her commitment to continuing to learn, grow, and collaborate with others in the field. Her insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers working to promote healthy development and resilience in young children.
Special Guests
Professor Brenda Jones Harden
Brenda Jones Harden is a professor of Social Work at Columbia University. She is a clinician and researcher who has led extensive research examining the developmental and mental health needs of young children who have experienced early adversity. As the Immediate Past President of ZERO TO THREE, she has put her 40 years of clinical practice and research to use by sharing what she knows about how to prevent traumatising children.
In the interview, Brenda shares how Joy has been a close collaborator and mentor in her work. She discusses how Joy taught her about the impact of trauma on young children, the importance of taking a developmental approach, and the value of being a scientist-practitioner. Brenda also highlights Joy’s commitment to working on the ground with children and families, even with her stature in the field.
Professor Hiram Fitzgerald
Hiram Fitzgerald is a University Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University. He has been a prolific researcher and writer, with over 400 papers and 80 books focusing on the impact of adverse childhood experiences on very young children, with a special interest in how ACEs affect boys.
In the interview, Hiram discusses his long-standing collaboration with Joy, including their work founding the World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH) and its publication, the Infant Mental Health Journal. He highlights the importance of WAIMH in bringing together professionals from different disciplines and perspectives to advance the field of infant mental health. Hiram also shares his thoughts on the historical and societal barriers that prevent a broader understanding of the importance of early relationships and the impact of trauma on young children.
Interviewer
Joy is in conversation with Jane O’Rourke and Salam Soliman.
Jane is a Child, Adolescent and Family Psychotherapist and Founder of MINDinMIND. She was formerly a senior producer at the BBC and recently won the Association of Infant Mental Health’s Founders Prize. She runs the counselling service in a state primary school in London, United Kingdom.
Salam is Director of NCTSN’s Center for Prevention and Early Trauma Treatment at Child First and Nurse Family Partnership and Board Member of American Psychological Association’s Division 39 Section II, based in the USA. This is a partnership event with MINDinMIND, APA Division 39 Section II and The National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership & Child First.
Information correct at time of recording on 11 October 2022
Bibliography
Professor Joy Osofsky has authored or edited seven books on trauma in the lives of children including Children in a Violent Society (1997), Clinical Work with Traumatised Young Children (2011), Treating Infants and Young Children Impacted by Trauma (2017), the two volume, Violence and Trauma in the Lives of Children (2018).
Joy was lead editor of the 2024 WAIMH two volume Handbook of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.
WAIMH Handbook of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health – Flyer.pdf
Papers
Perspectives on Helping Traumatized Infants, Young Children, and Their Families.pdf
