Crisis, Trauma & Violence
As school-based mental health practitioners, school counselors play a vital role in violence prevention and crisis response. During moments of community or personal crisis, school counselors are valuable resources for students and their families; they can also collaborate with other professionals in the building to help support the development of key social-emotional skills to help reduce violence.
CSCORE does not endorse any of the following research studies or resources. Instead, our goal is to present you with the latest research and interventions. It is up to you to decide if the study is reliable and valid.
Web Resources
American Psychological Association
The APA provides information on trauma, including links to current news articles and recommended books.
The Institute promotes the healing and healthy development of children and adolescents who have experienced trauma or loss. The site has information on assessments, treatments, and research studies.
Coping with Disaster
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s web site offers tips for educators on how to help children who have endured trauma or a disaster.
David Baldwin’s Trauma Information Pages
Dr. Baldwin is a licensed psychologist whose expertise is in the treatment of emotional trauma and post traumatic stress disorder. He has compiled a comprehensive collection of resources including information on trauma and articles.
National Association of School Psychologists
NASP provides resources for schools on school safety, violence prevention, crisis response, and trauma.
National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
The Center published the Guidelines for Responding to the Death of a Student or School Staff to help school staff and administrators respond to a loss associated with their school.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
This web site has information on different types of trauma as well as resources for educators, a tool kit, and an informative newsletter.
Journal Research Articles
SCHOOL COUNSELORS IMPLEMENTING A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES
Alvarez, J. M., Saunders, R., Neubauer, E., & Brown, C. H. (2022). School counselors implementing a trauma-informed approach through evidence-based practices. Professional School Counseling, 26(1A), 1–8.
EVALUATING A GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS: A PILOT STUDY
Banyard, V. L., Edwards, K. M., Rizzo, A. J., Theodores, M., Tardiff, R., Lee, K., & Greenberg, P. (2019). Evaluating a gender transformative violence prevention program for middle school boys: A pilot study. Children and Youth Services Review, 101, 165-173.
AT-RISK YOUTH AND ATTACHMENT-BASED THERAPY: IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
Bianco, M. C. (2017). At-risk youth and attachment-based therapy: Implications for clinical practice. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 51(1).
BRINGING SANCTUARY TO SCHOOL: ASSESSING SCHOOL CLIMATE AS A FOUNDATION FOR CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES FOR URBAN SCHOOLS
Blitz, L. V., Yull, D., & Clauhs, M. (2020). Bringing sanctuary to school: Assessing school climate as a foundation for culturally responsive trauma-informed approaches for urban schools. Urban Education, 55(1), 95-124.
BYSTANDER PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND VIOLENCE ACCEPTANCE WITHIN SEXUAL MINORITY MALE AND FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS USING A CLUSTER RCT
Coker, A. L., Bush, H. M., Clear, E. R., Brancato, C. J., & McCauley, H. L. (2020). Bystander program effectiveness to reduce violence and violence acceptance within sexual minority male and female high school students using a cluster RCT. Prevention science, 21(3), 434-444.
A QUALITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF AVERTED SCHOOL SHOOTING RAMPAGES
Daniels, J. A., Volungis, A., Pshenishny, E., Gandhi, P., Winkler, A., Cramer, D. P., & Bradley, M. C. (2010). A qualitative investigation of averted school shooting rampages. The Counseling Psychologist, 38(1), 69-95.
Full Article
EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BULLYING AND ADOLESCENT CONCERNS ABOUT TEEN DATING VIOLENCE
Debnam, K. J., Johnson, S. L., & Bradshaw, C. P. (2014). Examining the association between bullying and adolescent concerns about teen dating violence. Journal of school health, 84(7), 421-428.
SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF A FEDERALLY FUNDED VIOLENCE PREVENTION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM: RESULTS BRING SUSTAINABILITY
Duarte, D., & Hatch, T. (2014). Successful implementation of a federally funded violence prevention elementary school counseling program: Results bring sustainability. Professional School Counseling, 18(1).
EXPLORING THE EXPERIENCES OF COUNSELORS RESPONDING TO CRISIS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Fruetel, K. M., Duckworth, R. C., Scott, S. L., & Fenderson, E. N. (2022). Exploring the experiences of counselors responding to crisis in rural communities. Journal of rural mental health, 46(1), 40.
SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORT GROUPS FOR TRAUMATIZED STUDENTS
Leek Openshaw, L. (2011). School-based support groups for traumatized students. School Psychology International, 32(2), 163-178.
CRISIS IN THE CURRICULUM? NEW COUNSELORS' CRISIS PREPARATION, EXPERIENCES, AND SELF-EFFICACY
Morris, C. A. W., & Minton, C. A. B. (2012). Crisis in the curriculum? New counselors' crisis preparation, experiences, and self‐efficacy. Counselor Education and Supervision, 51(4), 256-269.
AN INVITATION TO GRIEVE: RECONSIDERING CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSES BY SUPPORT TEAMS IN THE SCHOOL SETTING
O'Brien, P., Mills, K., Fraser, A., & Andersson, J. (2011). An invitation to grieve: Reconsidering critical incident responses by support teams in the school setting. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 21(1), 60-73.
SCHOOL COUNSELORS HELP BUILD RESILIENCE AFTER NATURAL DISASTER
Warbington, N., Owenby, K., Brady, H., Shears, D. B., Burton, J., & Strong, K. (2019). School counselors help build resilience after natural disaster. European Journal of Educational Sciences.
Full Article
Evidence-Based Interventions
Tier 1, Grades K-8
Intervention focused on educating teachers to prevent bullying. Recognizes both the bully and victim, while working to implement strong positive role models.
Tier 1, Grades K-12
A prevention program designed to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence.
Tier 1, Grades K-12
An intervention that works to develop healthy living by establishing a positive self-view and strong learning community.
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Tier 1 & 2, Grades K-8
Whole-school program that is designed to prevent and reduce bullying throughout the building. Intervention is performed at both a Tier 1 and Tier 2 level.
Tier 1, Grades K-12
A school-wide intervention on bullying prevention that involves youth curriculum and staff development.
Tier 1, Grades K-12
Interventions on both bullying prevention and violence prevention. Intervention involves the whole school community.
Tier 1, Grades K-12
A collection of different curricula and interventions focused on students' health. Well-researched interventions focused on preventing drug use and violence.
Books & Book Chapters
Scholarship
Nathanson, A., Music, G., & Sternberg, J. (Eds.). (2021). From trauma to harming others: Therapeutic work with delinquent, violent and sexually harmful children and young people. Routledge.
Nelson, J. A., & Wines, L. A. (Eds.). (2020). Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experience for Optimal Crisis Intervention. Routledge.
Webb, N. B. (Ed.). (2004). Mass trauma and violence: Helping families and children cope. Guilford Press.
Parents & Educators
Coloroso, B. (2009). The bully, the bullied, and the bystander: From preschool to high school--how parents and teachers can help break the cycle (Rev. ed.). New York, NY: HarperCollins.
Dulmus, C., & Sowers, K. (2013). School-Based Violence Prevention Programs: A Review of Selected Programs with Empirical Evidence. Kids and Violence, 191-206.
Filio, S. (2020) Responding to Student Trauma: A Toolkit for Schools in Times of Crisis. Free Spirit Publishing.
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2008). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: preventing and responding to cyberbullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Youth
Farber Straus, S. (2013). Healing Days: A Guide For Kids Who Have Experienced Trauma. Magination Press.
Pusey, M. (2018). Speranza's Sweater. Miramare Ponte Press.
Schmidt, F. (1994). Mediation: Getting to win win! Student handbook. Miami, FL: Peace Education Foundation.