Medical Trauma in Parents: Caring for Yourself So You Can Care for Your Child | Dr. Meghan Marsac
The Parenting Pair | Teens & TweensShow Notes
When your child is facing a serious illness, hospitalization, medical procedure, injury, or other frightening medical experience, it can be easy to focus entirely on your child—and forget that the experience affects you, too.
In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen welcome back Dr. Meghan Marsac, a pediatric psychologist and expert in pediatric medical traumatic stress, to talk about what happens to parents when their child is facing a medical challenge. Medical trauma doesn't only affect children. Parents may experience intrusive thoughts or memories, avoidance, sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, increased anxiety, changes in mood, and other symptoms of traumatic stress. Dr. Marsac explains why recognizing these reactions matters—and why supporting yourself isn't an indulgence or an additional item on an already overwhelming to-do list. Taking care of yourself can actually help you remain present and effective as your child's advocate and caregiver. Together, they discuss: What medical trauma can look like in parents How traumatic stress can show up after a child's diagnosis, hospitalization, accident, or medical procedure Why parents may minimize or overlook their own distress Why even teenagers can sense when a parent is struggling How a parent's emotional health can affect their child The COACH model for supporting children through medical challenges Why parents may have difficulty using the COACH approach when they are overwhelmed themselves How to accept help—and why asking for help isn't a sign of weakness Ways to find support during hospitalizations and ongoing medical care Child life specialists, social workers, psychologists, chaplains, and other hospital resources How parents can take small, realistic steps to care for themselves Resources for families dealing with pediatric medical trauma and chronic illness Here are the highlights from the episode: 00:00 Don't Oversay "I Got This" 00:27 Medical Trauma Doesn’t Only Affect Kids 02:34 How Medical Trauma Shows Up in Parents 05:24 Why Parents Need Support Too 07:46 How a Parent’s Stress Affects Their Child 09:53 The COACH Model 11:22 Practical Ways Parents Can Get Support 12:48 Stop Turning Down Help 14:01 Who Are Your People? 16:24 Support Available Inside the Hospital 19:08 Resources for Parents and Families 21:11 Final Thoughts One of the most important reminders from this conversation: you don't have to do this alone. Sometimes the first step isn't finding more time for yourself—it's saying yes when someone offers to help.
👩⚕️ Meet Dr. Meghan Marsac
Dr. Meghan Marsac is a pediatric psychologist and Division Chief of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. She has published extensively on pediatric medical trauma and co-authored Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent's Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma with Melissa Hogan.Her work focuses on helping children and families navigate the psychological impact of medical experiences. 📚 Resources Mentioned in This Episode
📖 Afraid of the Doctor: Every Parent's Guide to Preventing and Managing Medical Trauma By Meghan L. Marsac, Melissa J. Hogan, with a foreword by John F. Crowley. The book provides practical strategies for parents navigating medical procedures, medical trauma, chronic conditions, and difficult healthcare experiences. Learn more about *Afraid of the Doctor*
🧰 Healthcare Toolbox — Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress A free resource with information, handouts, and workbooks for children, teens, parents, and caregivers coping with injury, illness, hospitalization, and medical treatment. Dr. Marsac is co-director of this organization. Healthcare Toolbox
🧠 National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) The NCTSN provides information and resources about child traumatic stress, including resources specifically related to medical trauma and healthcare experiences. National Child Traumatic Stress Network — Medical Trauma Resources
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