Trauma Therapy for Youths
Trauma can happen to anyone- including young children
and teens. It can have a lifelong impact whether they are victims or witnesses.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s definition of traumatic stress encompasses the physical and emotional responses of a child to events that threaten the life or physical integrity of the child or of someone critically important to the child such as a caregiver.
While a single event like a natural disaster or an assault by a stranger may constitute toxic stress, the effects multiply when the trauma continues, whether by repetition of similar stresses or experiencing different ones.
The effect of toxic stress resulting from trauma may not be immediately visible or appear as one would expect. For most children who have experienced trauma and toxic stress, the experiences began at an early age. It can even begin while still in the womb.
“Behavior is the language of trauma. Children will show you before they tell you that they are in distress”. – Micere Keels
As a trained and certified clinician, I am able to offer clients ages 3-21 who have experienced some form of trauma a specialized treatment approach called Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
What is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)?
TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment developed and refined over the past 25 years by Drs. Anthony Mannarino, Judith Cohen and Esther Deblinger. Studies have documented that TF-CBT was superior for improving children’s trauma symptoms and responses.
TF-CBT improves a range of trauma-related outcomes in 8-25 sessions with the youth and caregiver. Although TF-CBT is highly effective at improving youth posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and diagnosis, a PTSD diagnosis is not required in order to receive this treatment. It also effectively addresses many other trauma impacts, including such conditions as depression and anxiety, cognitive and behavioral problems, as well as improving the participating parent’s or caregiver’s personal distress about the youth’s traumatic experience, effective parenting skills, and supportive interactions with the child.
There are specific criteria for TF-CBT via tele-therapy. Please contact me to learn more about this specialized trauma treatment for children and teens.