17 | The Forgotten Patients: Supporting Parents Through Ongoing Pediatric Trauma with Dr. Elizabeth Wofford, PhD, LPC, LPC/S

Does it feel like you're constantly struggling to cope with the ongoing trauma of your child's medical journey? You've probably been told to just stay calm and remain stable, right? But let's be real, that advice doesn't address the deep pain and struggle you're feeling. It's time to break free from the ineffective coping strategies and find real support. Let's explore how you can truly function well, move out of survival mode, and find the resilience you need to navigate your unique journey. My special guest is Dr. Elizabeth Wofford Dr. Elizabeth Wofford is a licensed professional counselor and supervisor based in South Carolina. With a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling and a PhD in counselor education and supervision, she brings over ten years of experience in various clinical settings, including community mental health, private practice, and faith-based counseling. Dr. Wofford's personal experience as a parent to a medically complex child has steered her focus towards supporting parents navigating the complexities of the medical system while caring for children with unique medical journeys. Her current research centers on ongoing trauma, medical trauma, and resilience-building, offering invaluable insights for parents of medically complex children. Dr. Wofford's emphasis on integrating faith in trauma recovery and her commitment to enhancing coping skills and resilience add significant depth to our discussion. In this episode, you will learn to: Discover effective coping strategies for parenting medically complex children. Learn about trauma-informed care to better support your child and yourself. Explore the impact of integrating faith in trauma recovery for parents. Gain insights into managing ongoing medical trauma with resilience. Build resilience in challenging situations to navigate the journey of parenting a medically complex child The resources mentioned Visit the Facebook and Instagram pages for Empowering Hope to connect with Dr. Elizabeth Wofford and access trauma-informed care resources. Stay tuned for the launch of the Parents: The Forgotten Patients podcast, where you can find valuable insights and support for parents navigating medical complexities. Explore Steadfast Christian Counseling's Facebook and Instagram pages for more information on their services and resources for leaders, including workshops, virtual groups, and the yearly summit. If you're in South Carolina and looking for a therapist, visit Steadfast Christian Counseling to get connected with their team of professionals. Keep an eye out for Dr. Elizabeth Wofford's upcoming books, including The Medical Parent Survival Guide, designed to provide support and guidance for parents facing similar challenges. Check out the short video mentioned by Jessie and Dr. Wofford about empathy here.