This document discusses group therapy models for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in survivors of the 9/11 attacks and childhood traumatic grief (CTG) in children who lost parents in the attacks. It describes a support group for parents who lost children on 9/11 that met for over 3 years. The group allowed members to rehash their traumatic experiences or remain silent. Both approaches helped with recovery. It also discusses a study of CTG in children that found group therapy is most effective when it involves communication, remembrance, and creative arts to memorialize lost loved ones. Group therapy reduces isolation and teaches interpersonal skills, providing hope to trauma victims.

1. Abstract Group Therapy Model for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
After the world trade center attack,
11.2% of people in the NY
metropolitan area experienced PTSD
as a result of the 9/11 attacks. This
model seeks to understand the group
work methods that were used to treat
the PTSD that was experienced by
the 9/11 attack survivors. This
research project also seeks to
recognize the best group work model
for treating children with childhood
traumatic grief (CTG).
Differences and Similarities
• PTSD symptoms usually start soon
after a traumatic event, but they may
not appear until months or years later.
They also may come and go over
many years. Possible symptoms
include thoughts and images of a
traumatic nature that are terrifying,
horrific and so anxiety provoking that
they cause the individual to avoid and
shut out thoughts and images that
would cause discomfort or reminders
of the traumatic event.
• CTG has similar symptoms to PTSD.
The only difference is that children
who experience CTG perceive death
as traumatic in nature and seek to take
revenge as a yearning for the
deceased person. They are unable to
accept death as a reality of life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Survivors of the 9/11 Attacks
and Children Experiencing Childhood Traumatic Grief
Hahna G. Fagan MSW Candidate
Faculty Sponsor: Shirley Simon,
Loyola University Chicago
Conclusion and Limitations
Group Therapy Model for Childhood Traumatic Grief
Support Group for parents who lost a son in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Led by: Gregory J. Maccoll
LCSW. The mission of the support group was to help parents survive the devastating feelings of
trauma specifically post-traumatic stress disorder. The group work started in January 2002 and lasted
until June 2005. Below are the reasons why group work methods were chosen and the techniques that
were most useful for the support group participants.
Group work was chosen the best treatment for trauma because:
1.It provides an environment where relationship discrepancies can be worked on;
2.Isolation is reduced when feeling the sense of belonging to a group;
3.A sense of trust can develop;
4.Group acceptance provides the ability to express painful feelings willingly; and
5.Assertiveness and the development of new behaviors can be encouraged.
There were two different types of participants, one type wanted to re-hash what happened during the
9/11 attacks and the other type chose to remain silent. Both types used their own methods of talking or
remaining silent to help them recover. It is important to allow people who have the need to re-hash a
traumatic event to express what they are going through. The ability of remembering and relating the
traumatic event over and over again helped survivors not feel alone. It is equally important not to
demand that someone speaks about their experiences if they choose not too.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder if not treated can cause the destruction of interpersonal connection
and meaningful engagement. The ability for people in the group to feel a sense of connection helped
the long term effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder diminish. In addition, the ability for participants
to talk and share their personal 9/11 experiences with people who experienced similar feelings helped
participants to recover. Survivors feel the need to talk and be listened to from people who experienced
the same loss.
A research study on childhood and adolescent trauma was conducted by Elissa J. Brown and Robin F.
Goodman. The research used an External Grief Inventory exam to measure the correlations of Childhood
Traumatic Grief on 83 children and adolescents whose fathers died in the world trade center attacks.
The study noted that the best form of therapy (including group therapy) for adolescents was having a
group that was characterized by communication, remembrance, thoughts and conversations that were
aimed at memorializing the loved one. In addition, prayer was found to be helpful because it served as a
tangible connection to the person who died. Allowing children to vent about their loved one helped
minimize childhood grief. Creative arts and play therapy were also noted as being a healing method for
children. Through these tools, a child is able to express inner feelings and have the ability to come to
terms with them.
Group work reduces isolation and
trauma, teaches interpersonal learning and
development skills and instills feelings of
hope within a person who is suffering from
PTSD or CTG. Group therapy methods
can also help people fully recover from
their traumatic experiences and live a
normal life again. Maintaining a group
while listening, and providing confidence
can help a victim of trauma overcome
traumatic symptoms. Children faced with
childhood traumatic grief need to use their
own unique ways of expressing
themselves while in therapy. It is important
to allow them to share their thoughts and
offer them creative ways of remembering
their loved one. Group therapy when
conducted appropriately can be the best
method for treating trauma both in
children, adolescents and adults.
Group work limitations are: Not catching
symptoms early enough and the inability to
reach out to each individual grieving
parent or child within the group.