Gina Seria
She has been a psychotherapist since 2010, which allows her to understand and effectively approach the families and therapists she works with. She also offers support to people suffering from depression, those dealing with various anxieties or those going through post-traumatic stress.
For 17 years, she has been passionately dedicated to supporting special children, always looking for new ways to help them. She started in 2007 as an ABA therapist and in 2019 she obtained the BCBA international accreditation and from 2023 she is also UKBA.
She coordinates recovery teams for special children both in Romania and Great Britain. Throughout her career, she held numerous courses for the training of ABA therapists and participated in various projects with teachers, aiming at the integration of children with special needs. She explored multiple ways of communicating with parents of special children, offering them support and therapeutic solutions that contributed to the significant progress of their children.
At 2024 ABA International Conference, Gina Seria will explore the therapeutic approaches used for reducing parenting stress and trauma, sharing case studies and practical solutions to inspire and guide attendees in supporting families affected by ASD.
Presentation: Therapy approaches for parents’ stress/trauma after the ASD diagnosis
Abstract:
The impact of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis on a family functioning and parental mental health, including the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), underscores the importance of specialized interventions to help these families manage stress and improve their well-being.
The diagnosis of ASD brings significant challenges not only for the diagnosed child, but also for the entire family. Family functioning can be profoundly affected on multiple levels. Family communication can become strained, daily routines can be disrupted, and family members can experience feelings of helplessness and isolation.
Studies show that parents of children with ASD are at increased risk of developing anxiety and depression disorders. These disorders can have a profound impact on their ability to provide the necessary support for the child, but also on their interpersonal relationships and daily functioning.
In this context, specialized interventions become essential. Parenting support programs, family therapies, psychological counselling, and support groups are just some of the methods that can help families manage stress. These interventions not only provide emotional support, but also practical strategies for coping with the daily challenges.
During the presentation I will address the following topics:
- Incidence of chronic stress/trauma symptoms in parents after diagnosis of child with ASD.
- Symptoms and manifestations of chronic stress/trauma in parents.
- Protective factors in the prevention of chronic stress/trauma in parents.
- Case study: Interventions and outcomes.
In facing the challenges brought by ASD, the interdisciplinary collaboration and active involvement of the specialist community are vital. Only through a concerted effort and the application of personalized interventions we can hope for a better and more stable future for families affected by ASD. Let us commit ourselves, therefore, to be with these families, to offer them the support they need and to contribute to the creation of a more balanced and happy living environment.