Trauma Therapy
FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND PARENTS
“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.” Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
We provide…
MANY MODALITIES FOR TREATING TRAUMA, INDLUDING TF-CBT, EMDR, ACT, CPP, PSB.
TRAUMA WORK
WHAT IS TRAUMA?
A traumatic event is an extremely frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or serious harm to their body. Witnessing an event that threatens the life or physical safety of a loved one can also be traumatic. While not all such events lead to lasting difficulties, children who have been exposed to a traumatic event may experience traumatic stress. Symptoms of traumatic stress in children may include changes to their emotional functioning such as intense and prolonged feelings of emotional distress, depression or anxiety, behavioral changes, difficulties with emotional regulation, loss of previously acquired skills or developmental regression, difficulty sleeping and nightmares, changes to appetite and increased reports of aches and pains. There are several highly effective, research supported treatment interventions for child traumatic stress.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma. This intervention utilizes a components-based treatment model that incorporates trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic principles and techniques. A parent or caregiver is highly involved in the treatment intervention. TF-CBT is appropriate for children and adolescents aged 3-21 years old. Completion of this treatment model is based on mastery, but typically takes 4 to 6 months of weekly therapy.
Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
CPP is an intervention for children aged 0-6 who have experienced at least one traumatic event and/or are experiencing mental health, attachment, and/or behavior problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder. The primary goal of CPP is to strengthen the parent-child relationship which leads to improvement in the child’s emotional and behavioral functioning. Treatment begins with an extended assessment phase (mostly with the parent or caregiver) and then involves conjoint, play based sessions with the child, caregiver, and therapist. Completion of CPP is based on mastery and improved functioning, but typically takes 8-12 months of weekly therapy.
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network, www.nctsn.org.
EMDR
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a scientifically validated therapy that has shown remarkable effectiveness in treating various mental health issues, particularly trauma-related disorders. Grounded in extensive research and endorsed by organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), EMDR involves a structured eight-phase protocol designed to facilitate the processing of traumatic memories and alleviate associated distress. Studies have demonstrated that EMDR can lead to significant reductions in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other psychological difficulties among adolescents and adults alike. By engaging the brain's natural capacity for healing and adaptive processing, EMDR enables individuals to reprocess traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner, resulting in lasting therapeutic benefits.