The recent devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country, particularly the tragic events at Camp Mystic, have left an indelible mark on countless lives. Our hearts at Brittani Persha Counseling are absolutely broken by this immense tragedy. We extend our deepest empathy to every family, friend, camper, and community member impacted. This unimaginable loss is being felt deeply across our state, and we are holding space for the profound grief, confusion, and pain so many are carrying.
As a mental health practice, we are committed to walking alongside those who are hurting. We understand that the ripple effects of such a disaster can be far-reaching, impacting not just physical spaces but also our emotional landscapes.
The Unseen Impact: Understanding Flood Trauma
When the waters recede, the emotional challenges often remain. Severe weather events like the recent Hill Country floods can have a profound impact on mental health, especially for those who directly experienced the destruction, displacement, or even the loss of loved ones. For many Texans, memories of past natural disasters, like Hurricane Harvey, are still fresh, and new events can trigger a resurgence of those difficult feelings.
This weather-related trauma, often referred to as natural disaster trauma, can manifest in various ways. You might notice heightened anxiety during future storms, difficulty sleeping, or feelings of helplessness when it rains heavily. Even just hearing a storm forecast can trigger anxiety, flashbacks, or other symptoms of post-traumatic stress. We explored this connection in more detail in our blog, “Weather and Trauma: Understanding How Storms Impact Mental Health in Houston,” which highlights how such events impact mental well-being.
Helping Children Cope: Understanding Their Grief
Children are particularly vulnerable to flood trauma and the emotional aftermath of such events. They may struggle to understand why these disasters happen and often feel an overwhelming sense of fear and powerlessness. Witnessing the devastation can leave lasting impressions that affect their sense of security and stability.
As parents, it’s natural to want to shield our children from pain, but supporting them through grief requires a thoughtful approach. We’ve previously discussed how children manage weather fears in “Hope After Harvey for Children: Helping Children Manage Weather Fears and Phobias.” To further support you, we’ve outlined key steps, drawing from expert advice on helping children cope with disaster:
Step One: Process Your Own Grief First Before we can effectively support our children through grief, we must give ourselves permission to feel and move through our own emotions. This takes time—grief cannot be rushed. It will come in waves, sometimes when you least expect it. Be patient and gentle with yourself throughout the process. The only way out is through; we cannot bypass grief, only move through it. Remember, we heal in connection. Talk with trusted friends, family, or a therapist to process your emotions.
Step Two: Hold Space for Your Child’s Grief Once you’ve begun to acknowledge your own grief, you can more fully support your child in theirs. Grief is not something we can fix. It’s natural to want to take away our children’s pain—doing so may even soothe some of our own. This desire is human, but it doesn’t serve the grieving process. Sit with them in the hard moments. There is nothing more challenging than witnessing your child’s pain and not rushing to rescue them, but this is where true healing begins. Sitting with the pain allows children to feel and metabolize their emotions, which is essential to healing. Attempts to avoid or fix it may unintentionally prolong their grief.
Step Three: Stay Attuned and Available Let your child take the lead. When they’re done talking, follow their cue. For example, do they need:
- Movement?
- Space?
- Physical Touch?
Grief is unpredictable and spontaneous; continue to make space and check in regularly. Offer alternative ways to process grief: drawing or painting, listening to or creating music, reading books about grief or emotions, or writing or journaling.
For more comprehensive information on helping kids after a flood or other large-scale disasters, we highly recommend the resources from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP): “Large-Scale Natural Disasters: Helping Children Cope.”
Finding Support: Brittani Persha Counseling is Here
The emotional effects of a large-scale tragedy can be profound, even for those not directly affected. Common reactions include sadness, concern for loved ones, anxiety about future disasters, and a strong desire to help. While most children and adults are resilient, some may experience more intense or prolonged reactions. If you are wondering if therapy could be helpful for supporting your family through this process, please feel free to reach out. Our trauma-informed care Houston therapists are here to provide support.
We are actively exploring hosting free process groups for both children and parents impacted by this event, offering a safe space for collective healing.
Join the Free “After The Storm” Event! Brittani Persha, along with other amazing local therapist groups, are hosting a special event, “After The Storm,” free for kids, teens, and adults who were impacted in any way by the recent Hill Country floods. This is an opportunity to connect, process, and learn coping strategies in a supportive environment utilizing EMDR therapy.
Click here to sign up and learn more: Sign Up for After The Storm Event
At Brittani Persha Counseling, we are dedicated to providing grief support Texas families can rely on. We will continue to share additional mental health resources Texas wide on our social media stories, so please stay tuned for more supportive content.
With deepest sympathy and unwavering support,
The Team at Brittani Persha Counseling
Featured Anxiety therapist at Brittani Persha Counseling
Alexandria “Alex” Garza, LMFT-A, is a therapist at Brittani Persha Counseling in Houston, TX. She works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families through a collaborative and affirming approach. Alex has specialized training in play therapy for young children, as well as experience supporting adolescents with school stress, peer relationships, and self-esteem. She also helps couples and families strengthen communication, heal from conflict, and build deeper connections. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Alex, please use the link below or call 713-364-8645.
