Therapy for Trauma
Sadly, trauma is a part of some children’s stories. It is important to stress to your child that it is never their fault. Trauma can be experienced through abuse or neglect, death of a loved one (including pets), school violence, bullying, medical ailments, or natural disasters.
Children can experience deep emotional pain, fear, separation anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed. Children can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of safe family and friends and bounce back with resiliency. However, in some cases the trauma effects can be long lasting or maybe the trauma is too big for the family to deal with on their own.
In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist is fundamental to healing from trauma.
Trauma Symptoms
According to the four types of symptoms listed in the DSM-5
Avoidance Symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
- Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt
Re-experiencing Symptoms
- Intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks
Hyperarousal Symptoms
- Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
- Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
- Sleep disturbances
Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms
- Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
- Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
- Change in habits or behavior since the trauma
Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma.
If your child or family has experienced trauma, know that you don’t have to do this alone. I am here to help. Please schedule a 30 minute complimentary consultation to see if I am a good fit for your family.