Content Warning
This interview discusses sensitive topics, including child abuse and trauma. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, please be mindful as you read. It’s important to prioritize your emotional well-being and seek support if needed.
“I hope that children will take away the message at the end of the book – that they are loved, special, valuable, and important.”
– Erika L. Turner
TWB: Congratulations on winning the BREW Children’s Book Excellence Award 2024 for Illustrated Book of the Year! What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you feel the book’s illustrations by Kat Powell enhance its impact?
ELT: It is a great honor to be recognized with this illustrious award from the Chrysalis BREW Project. I feel that this award means even more because “A New Family For Tate” is my first self-published work, and I could not have anticipated such a warm response to the book. Kat Powell is an exceptional illustrator and artist, and her drawings definitely brought the characters and their experiences to life. Kat was able to capture the characters’ emotions, which made the story more impactful to the readers.
TWB: What inspired you to write “A New Family For Tate” and address the challenging topic of child abuse in a way that’s accessible to children?
ELT: I am a social worker and a therapist, and through many years of working with children and families, I have witnessed the impact that different types of abuse have on children. I have worked with parents who lack insight into how their behaviors create mental and emotional instability for the children in their care. I rarely see books that address child abuse in a way that children can connect to the stories and the characters. So, I wanted to produce a work where children can be encouraged and uplifted, despite any challenge they might be experiencing.
TWB: As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over fifteen years of experience, how has your professional background in mental health shaped the themes and messages in your book?
ELT: As a mental health professional, my specialization is trauma. I am passionate about helping people heal from abuse and other traumatic experiences. It is particularly important for me to address childhood trauma because children cannot advocate for themselves. They are often marginalized and unheard; their emotional pain is often dismissed. Research shows us that children who experience trauma through physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse are at a higher risk for suicide, drug/alcohol addiction, and chronic mental illness when they become adolescents and adults. Eradicating child abuse through advocacy, education, and mental health treatment will create a healthier and stable society overall.
TWB: The book’s characters and their interactions are brought to life through Kat Powell’s illustrations. How did you collaborate with the illustrator to ensure that the visuals conveyed the story’s emotional depth and message of healing?
ELT: Kat Powell is a master at bringing the emotions of story characters to life through illustration. It was a great experience working with Kat because she was very much in tune with my vision for the book. I had a vision for each character, as well as the scenes on each page. We had conversations about the different emotional states of Tate and the other characters such as fear, sadness, surprise, laughter, and happiness. Kat understood and captured what I had in mind. We definitely communicated and collaborated well together.
TWB: The theme of healing through nurturing relationships is central to “A New Family For Tate.” What do you hope children and adults take away from this message, especially when combined with the book’s powerful illustrations?
ELT: I hope that children will take away the message at the end of the book – that they are loved, special, valuable, and important. I want all children who read the book to know that they are deserving of being loved and cared for. I want them to also know that they should always tell a safe adult if someone is hurting them. I want adults to understand the negative consequences of child abuse and to be able to see the behavioral signs of a child who is anxious or fearful. We are all responsible for speaking up if we see a child who is being mistreated.
TWB: In your opinion, what role do storytelling and illustrations play in mental health and emotional healing, particularly for children who have experienced trauma?
ELT: Research has shown us that children process their feelings and traumatic experiences through play. I have witnessed this in my own career. In play therapy, I have often used puppets, dollhouses, and art to help children communicate what has happened to them. A child’s imagination is a powerful tool for fostering emotional healing and growth. Books with imaginative storytelling and vivid illustrations will allow a child to place themselves in the story, while allowing their developing brains to work through their own traumatic experiences.
TWB: You’ve worked extensively in counseling and psychotherapy. How does writing a children’s book compare to your work in mental health, and what challenges or rewards have you found in this new role as an author?
ELT: As a child, I was a bookworm. I absolutely loved reading, and it was always such a special experience to have a children’s book author autograph my books at a school book fair. Becoming a children’s book author is a full circle moment for me. It is even more rewarding to be able to write therapeutic children’s books that complement my career as a mental health professional. It is a huge honor and reward to be able to impact a child’s life through reading the same way that other authors impacted my life as a child. The only challenge there is with this role is not having enough time to do more writing.
TWB: Your book emphasizes the responsibility of adults to protect children from harm. What advice would you give to caregivers, educators, and mental health professionals in using books like yours to fulfill this responsibility?
ELT: My message to caregivers, family members, educators, mental health professionals, and other individuals who might have access to children is to learn to read the behavioral signs of children who are struggling. Some children might be angry and aggressive, while other children might be anxious, hyperactive, and impulsive. The most dismissed, and often high-risk group of children, are the ones who are quiet, withdrawn, and disengaged. When you see these behaviors, pay attention and provide extra support. Make referrals and reports when needed. Use therapeutic books like mine to engage and encourage children who might not feel safe telling their own stories.
TWB: As someone deeply committed to fostering emotional well-being, what strategies do you find most effective in helping children develop resilience and a positive sense of self-worth, and how can literature and art support this development?
ELT: I feel that play therapy and art therapy are effective strategies that provide outlets for children to develop resilience and self-worth. These therapeutic modalities allow children the opportunity to express and process their emotions and traumatic memories through creativity and imagination. Literature is a powerful tool that can be used for education, as well as for encouragement and inspiration for children. I have witnessed firsthand how all of these resources can be utilized in positively transforming a child’s life.
TWB: Looking ahead, do you have any upcoming projects or initiatives that you’re excited about, either in your writing or your work in mental health? How do you plan to continue advocating for the well-being of children and families?
ELT: Yes, I have more therapeutic books in the works on various topics that impact children. I have some fun ideas for the characters – I often get inspired by nature and the wildlife that I photograph.
I am a social worker at my core. I will always advocate for children and families in some capacity. My current plans are to continue supporting children and families through my private practice via counseling and through psychoeducation that I provide on my social media platforms. I also plan to volunteer and participate in advocacy programs and activities through local community agencies and through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), which is the national social work governing body.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I will always advocate for children and families in some capacity.”
– Erika L. Turner
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
- Business website: www.erikalturner.com
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/erikalturnerlcsw
- Business Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/Erikalturner.therapy/
- Personal Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/erika.turner.165/
- Business Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/erikalturnerlcsw/
- More about the BREW Book, Blog, and Poetry Awards.
Share Your Insights
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this interview! Here are a few questions to consider:
- How do you think storytelling can aid in emotional healing for children?
- What role do you believe adults should play in fostering resilience in young ones?
- Have you read “A New Family for Tate”? What were your impressions of its themes?
Share your insights in the comments below!
Alignment with the UN SDGs
The themes explored in Erika L. Turner’s interview and her illustrated book, A New Family for Tate, align well with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas related to mental health, education, and the well-being of children. Here are the relevant SDGs:
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Turner’s focus on mental health and the impact of trauma directly supports this goal. By advocating for awareness around child abuse and emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships, her work contributes to improving mental health outcomes for children. Through her background as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she highlights the necessity of mental health care and support, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable populations. - Goal 4: Quality Education
The book’s aim to educate children about their worth and the importance of seeking help promotes quality education. By providing children with narratives that resonate with their experiences, Turner not only entertains but also educates them on emotional resilience and self-advocacy. Her approach fosters a learning environment where children can understand complex issues in a digestible way, enhancing their emotional and social learning. - Goal 5: Gender Equality
While not explicitly mentioned, Turner’s advocacy for children’s rights and protection from abuse indirectly supports gender equality by recognizing and addressing the vulnerabilities faced by all children, regardless of gender. Promoting a narrative that emphasizes safety and support for children aligns with the broader mission of ensuring equal protection and empowerment for all. - Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Turner’s commitment to advocacy and the protection of children ties into this goal by promoting justice for vulnerable populations. Her efforts to raise awareness about child abuse and the responsibility of adults to safeguard children can contribute to stronger community responses and institutional support systems that protect children’s rights.
Erika L. Turner’s work exemplifies how storytelling can be a powerful tool for healing and education. By addressing sensitive topics through accessible narratives, she not only supports individual well-being but also aligns her mission with global efforts to foster a more equitable and healthy society. Her approach underscores the significance of compassion, understanding, and proactive advocacy in the face of trauma, contributing to a collective movement towards better mental health for future generations.
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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What impacted me the most is thinking that some parents simply don’t know how much harm they are inflicting on their kids. As a kid who suffered from trauma (not abuse), it’s always heartwarming to know that future generations will have tools like this book to help them cope and thrive.
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