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Novant psychotherapist offers tips on how to discuss mass shootings with kids

A Novant health counselor advises parents to allow their children to express their feelings after traumatic events like mass shootings. J PAT CARTER/AP

A local mental health counselor is speaking out about ways parents can address the Texas elementary school shooting with their children. 

Novant Health psychotherapist Jaren Doby says it's a good idea just to start with the basics. 

“Be able to ask them if they're okay. ‘Are you all right? Have you heard about what has happened?'”

He says it's also important to remember not to ask leading questions.

“Because it can evoke an emotion or a response that may not be natural for them to express," he says. "‘Hey, so have you heard about what happened? Does this make you scared?' That's a leading question. So we have to be careful of that.”

Doby says the goal is to be as honest as possible, and make sure your children are able to express their emotions in a safe space. 

He advises parents to keep an eye out for any dramatic changes in behavior, like sleep disturbances or mood swings. Those can be clues that more professional help is needed. 
 

April Laissle is a reporter and WFDD's host of All Things Considered. Her work has been featured on several national news programs and recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Before joining WFDD in 2019, she worked at public radio stations in Ohio and California.

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