Content Warning
This article discusses themes of childhood trauma, including burn-related injuries and their emotional and psychological impacts on both the survivor and their family. It explores sensitive topics such as recovery from trauma, self-image, and the healing process. Readers who may be affected by these themes are advised to proceed with caution.
“This story is about how a family is affected by one family member’s trauma, how the survivor manages through the recovery process, with the support of her parents and twin sister.”
– Dr. Isabela Sardas
With children’s literature, Dr. Sardas is now putting her wealth of experience to new use. She examines how trauma impacts not just individuals but entire families in her book Belle and Chloe: Reflections in the Mirror, winner of the BREW Children’s Book Excellence Award 2024 Family Book of the Year and various other awards, drawing on both her own experience and her clinical expertise. The narrative focuses on the vital role that family support plays in a child’s healing process inspired by her own personal journey of recovery after a terrible occurrence. Through her literary work, Dr. Sardas endeavors to reach out to kids and families facing comparable obstacles and provide them with empathy, optimism, and a way towards a better stead.
TWB: Your book Belle and Chloe: Reflections in the Mirror has been honored with the BREW Children’s Book Excellence Award 2024. How does it feel to receive this recognition, and what do you believe makes this story resonate so deeply with readers?
DIS: I am honored to receive this prestigious award and to be considered on par with other winners. This story is about how a family is affected by one family member’s trauma and how the survivor manages through the recovery process, with the support of her parents and twin sister.
Any child who struggles with accepting themselves for how they appear may identify with the story. Family members who have a member struggling may also find this book helpful.
TWB: As a burn survivor and licensed clinical child psychologist, how has your personal experience influenced your professional work and the writing of your book?
DIS: As is true for many trauma survivors, my burn trauma sped up my emotional and psychological development. Child trauma takes away a child’s innocence. There is an unconscious realization that “bad things can happen” and they “can happen to me or anyone.” This experience creates an inherent hypervigilance.
Being more aware of my surroundings naturally led to being more attentive to others’ feelings and experiences. In fact, I knew back in 9th grade, when I took my first psychology course in high school, that the field of psychology was my calling.
TWB: Can you share the inspiration behind Belle and Chloe: Reflections in the Mirror and the message you hope to convey to both children and their families through this story?
DIS: The inspiration for this book comes from my own childhood experience when I was burned in a kitchen accident (as in the book) at the age of 7 years and how it affected me, my sisters, my mom, and my dad. My mom has, I believe, for many years avoided the topic of the event. There were longstanding suppressed feelings of shame and guilt for the accident.
In addition, my sisters needed to adjust to the amount of my parents’ attention I took away from them. My hope is to “speak” to them through my book. I also hope the story reaches other children who are going through their own trauma and self-consciousness about any scars or physical issues they are addressing.
TWB: Your book touches on themes of trauma, recovery, and the importance of family support. How do these themes align with your broader approach to treating childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders?
DIS: Although it is important to address a child’s issues individually, it is equally important to acknowledge that the child’s issues affect the whole family. It is also usually true that one child’s behavioral manifestations, which bring them to therapy, are often a symptom of the family dynamics.
When appropriate, I try to bring the family into the therapeutic process to help with communication and the intra-familial relationships.
TWB: With over twenty-five years of experience in mental health, what are some of the most significant changes you’ve seen in the field, particularly regarding the treatment of trauma in children and adolescents?
DIS: During the pandemic, I observed many positive changes in the accessibility of psychotherapy, which surged during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many more people were able to seek therapy remotely. I have also observed that reaching out for professional psychological help is more accepted in our society.
More people are aware of the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders. This means that kids are being brought into therapy by their caregivers more readily, with less societal stigma.
TWB: You’ve been recognized as an Alfred M. Wellner Lifetime Achievement Award Nominee. Can you tell us more about this nomination and what it means to you personally and professionally?
DIS: I was so honored to be nominated by my peers and staff at our State of Wisconsin Dept of Health Services, who have been familiar with my professional work over the many years practicing in Wisconsin. This nomination recognized other awards I received as Founder and CEO of Childynamics, LLC, but more importantly, it was recognition for the hard-earned quality of care we provided to children in our program.
We are proud we were able to provide and maintain a high level of care over the 20 years of Childynamics.
TWB: As the Founder and CEO of Childynamics, LLC, you’ve spearheaded a specialized mental health day treatment program. What were some of the key challenges and successes in establishing this program, and how has it evolved over time?
DIS: Childynamics, LLC was recognized as the “go-to place” in our area to refer a child who was having severe behavioral issues at school, at home, and in the community. We provided 5 days a week of half-day group therapy, weekly individual, and family therapy.
The challenges over the years came with less approved time for services allowed by insurance companies. Our state did not expand Medicaid at a time when this could have provided more funding for mental health and medical services for children. This eventually led to severe restrictions on the amount of time we had to help a child and their family. The company closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic. We could not function without the ability to provide group therapy.
TWB: You are actively involved with organizations like The Psychological Association, The National Register for Health Service Psychologists, and The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. How has your involvement with these groups enriched your work and advocacy efforts?
DIS: Membership in these organizations provides the ability to stay connected with others in my profession. This is always enriching! The American Burn Association and Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors help me personally to find support from other burn survivors and provide the specific audience for which my book was initially meant to help: child burn survivors.
It has been so rewarding to attend their conferences and meet members and other professionals helping burn survivors, who are often survivors themselves.
TWB: Mental health advocacy is a crucial part of your work. What advice would you give to other professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in this area?
DIS: My advice is to reach out to local congressmen and senators to advocate for more parity in funding for psychological services, especially in the school systems. I also recommend staying connected to the psychological associations, attending conferences, remaining up-to-date on research, and reaching out to other clinicians for support.
TWB: Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations in both your professional work and your writing? Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives that you’re particularly excited about?
DIS: I am currently working on two other children’s books related to mental health issues. I continue to support the organizations mentioned earlier by donating and volunteering, and by attending their conferences.
My long-term plan (in about 2-3 years) is to open my own childhood trauma clinic.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My hope is to ‘speak’ to them through my book. I also hope the story reaches other children who are going through their own trauma, and self-consciousness about any scars or physical issues they are addressing.”
– Dr. Isabela Sardas
Help is Available
If you or someone you know is struggling with the topics discussed in this interview, please reach out for help. There are resources available, including hotlines and local support services. Remember, you are not alone, and there are people who care and are willing to support you.
Help is available for you.
When in Australia, here’s the information from health.gov.au:
In case of emergency, dial 000.
For immediate assistance, support is accessible 24/7 across Australia. Reach out to:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team in your state/territory
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
For urgent care, visit the emergency department at your local hospital.
Useful Links
- View “Belle and Chloe: Reflections in the Mirror” by Isabela Sardas, Ph.D. on its publisher’s website.
- Get your copy of “Belle and Chloe: Reflections in the Mirror” by Isabela Sardas, Ph.D. from Amazon.
- View “Belle and Chloe: Reflections in the Mirror” by Isabela Sardas, Ph.D. on Goodreads.
- Know more about the BREW Book, Blog, and Poetry Awards.
Share Your Insights
We’d love to hear your thoughts on Dr. Isabela Sardas’ work and the themes of trauma, healing, and family support explored in her interview. Join the conversation by sharing your insights in the comments!
- How do you think children’s literature can help families navigate trauma and recovery?
- What role do you believe family plays in supporting a child through difficult times?
- In what ways do you think Dr. Sardas’ approach to mental health can inspire future practitioners?
Alignment with the UN SDGs
This interview aligns closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the realm of mental health, family support, and education. Here’s how these connections manifest:
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – Dr. Sardas’s work focuses on the psychological health of children and adolescents, emphasizing the importance of addressing trauma and promoting recovery. Her advocacy for mental health awareness and the provision of resources aligns with the objective of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
- Goal 4: Quality Education – By utilizing children’s literature as a means to communicate and educate about trauma and recovery, Dr. Sardas supports quality education. Her book, Belle and Chloe: Reflections in the Mirror, serves not only as a narrative but also as an educational tool for families dealing with trauma, fostering understanding and resilience.
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities – The themes in Dr. Sardas’s work address the challenges faced by trauma survivors and their families, thereby promoting inclusivity and reducing inequalities. By shedding light on the experiences of burn survivors and advocating for their emotional needs, she helps bridge the gap for those who may feel marginalized due to their experiences.
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Dr. Sardas’s focus on advocacy and her involvement with professional organizations to improve mental health resources reflect the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. Her efforts to influence policy and funding for psychological services highlight the need for strong institutional support in mental health care.
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Through her collaboration with organizations like The Psychological Association and the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Dr. Sardas exemplifies the importance of partnerships in achieving these goals. Her involvement enriches her advocacy and expands the reach of mental health resources to those in need.
Dr. Sardas’s commitment to integrating her personal experiences with her professional expertise not only enhances her therapeutic approach but also contributes to the broader conversation on mental health and trauma recovery in children, aligning well with the UN SDGs.
July 2024 marked a special milestone at The World’s Best Magazine as we proudly declare it as our Diversity, Resilience, and Inclusion Month. Throughout the month – and moving forward – we officially dedicate a special series of posts in our platform to celebrating the richness of diversity, the strength of resilience, and the power of inclusion.
Join us as we spotlight stories that showcase the myriad facets of diversity, from cultural heritage to individual identities. Through our features, we aim to amplify voices that demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, inspiring others to persevere and thrive.
Moreover, we pledge to champion inclusion in all aspects of our work, ensuring that every story, perspective, and experience is welcomed and valued. By embracing diversity, resilience, and inclusion, we strive to foster a more equitable and compassionate world.
Let’s come together to honor the beauty of our differences, celebrate the triumphs of the human spirit, and reaffirm our commitment to building a society where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.
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I always say this, but I think no one wants to think that kids can suffer, and, as adults, we often dismiss their problems. But empowering kids and their families to face trauma head-on can literally make a lifetime of difference. What an inspiring interview!
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