Trauma Therapy For Teens: Treatment For Young People Exposed To Trauma
Although many people associate conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder with adult populations like veterans, young people can also encounter traumatizing experiences that can negatively impact their mental health. Treatment for adolescents may involve unique challenges and call for different strategies than working with adult trauma survivors. What kinds of therapies can help teens recover from the effects of traumatic events?
Several methods may support youth mental health, but two therapies have demonstrated particular effectiveness for adolescent trauma symptoms: trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). We’ll review these practices in more detail below and discuss what parents can do to improve their child’s likelihood of successful treatment, including seeking help from a therapist themselves.
Recognizing trauma symptoms in teens
While the effects of trauma can be difficult to resolve at any age, providing effective treatment for adolescents may have some unique challenges. Young people may have less mental health literacy and emotional insight than adults, potentially making them less likely to recognize when they’ve been affected by trauma.
Further complications can arise when the trauma involves abuse from an authority figure or trusted adult. Teen survivors may be pressured by their abusers to hide what’s happened, and they may be reluctant to talk about their experiences due to fear of retaliation, disbelief, or causing trouble for others.
How do adolescents respond to traumatic events?
- Rapid downturn in academic performance
- Disciplinary problems or conflicts at school
- Angry outbursts
- Self-destructive behavior, such as unhealthy substance use
- Social isolation or withdrawal from relationships
In addition, some young people may engage in “traumatic reenactment,” in which they incorporate behaviors related to their traumatic experiences in their daily lives. For example, teens who have experienced sexual abuse may be more likely to engage in risky or age-inappropriate sexual behavior. Physical abuse might result in fighting or bullying behavior.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis symptoms in teens
Other impacts of trauma in adolescents may resemble standard symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as those listed below:
- Excessive watchfulness and fear
- Being easily startled
- Panic attacks
- Intrusive thoughts or memories of a traumatic event, sometimes including flashbacks
- Avoidance of particular people, places, situations, and sensations due to reminders of trauma
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of pleasure and motivation
- Difficulty sleeping
- Persistent negative feelings, such as anger, fear, guilt, and shame
- Negative beliefs about themselves or the world
Childhood trauma exposure may also increase a young person’s risk of developing psychotic symptoms. If your teen has begun expressing persistent strange beliefs, describing or reacting to perceptions that don’t correspond to reality, talking in nonsensical or hard-to-follow ways, or engaging in bizarre behavior, it could be a response to trauma.
How common are trauma and PTSD in teens?
Research suggests that adolescent exposure to potentially traumatizing events can be common. According to the National Center for PTSD, some surveys indicate that nearly half of children in the U.S. have witnessed violence or experienced sexual or physical assault by age 17.
Not all teens exposed to trauma develop mental disorders as a result. The National Institutes of Mental Health estimates that roughly 5% of adolescents have had PTSD at some point in their lives, with 1.5% experiencing severe impairment. The prevalence may be higher in girls than boys, with roughly 8% of females surveyed being affected, compared to 2.3% of males.
What types of therapy can treat trauma in teens?
While many forms of trauma-focused therapies may help with symptoms of post-traumatic stress, researchers have identified two leading treatments for children and adolescents based on superior evidence of effectiveness.
Trauma therapy for teens: Leading treatment options
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
Other treatment modalities for trauma therapy for teens
Other treatment modalities that are strongly recommended for adult trauma symptoms, such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or prolonged exposure, aren’t supported by as robust an evidence base. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ineffective, but they aren’t currently considered first-line treatments.
Some studies suggest alternate therapies like these can still be effective in certain situations. For example, a 2018 paper suggested that a combination of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with prolonged exposure therapy could be helpful for trauma-affected youths experiencing severe suicidal ideation.
Understanding EMDR and TF-CBT
EMDR for teens affected by trauma
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy is largely based on the idea that PTSD could be caused by improper or incomplete processing of traumatic events, resulting in persistent fear and stress.
To work through these feelings, clients are typically encouraged to recall memories of traumatic experiences while attending to sensory stimulation alternating between different sides of the body. Between recollections, clients may discuss their thoughts, beliefs, and feelings about their traumatic experiences with the therapist. This process is generally intended to change the way these memories are stored in the brain, decreasing the strength of the individual’s negative emotional responses.
While the theoretical underpinnings of EMDR may remain controversial in the psychological community, researchers have compiled a substantial amount of evidence that it can produce positive results. A 2021 meta-analysis concluded that this treatment “had a large and significant overall effect” on adolescent trauma symptoms and behavioral challenges.
TF-CBT for teens affected by trauma
TF-CBT was specifically developed for use with youths impacted by trauma. The technique is primarily based on core principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, such as the idea that distorted patterns of thought can reinforce the bodily and emotional symptoms of trauma. Treatment usually involves rethinking counterproductive beliefs and responses, as well as learning coping skills to regulate difficult emotions.
Trauma-focused CBT may also incorporate elements of family therapy, involving parents or caregivers in the treatment process (provided that they aren’t the source of the trauma, as in cases of child abuse). Since parents may also be traumatized by learning that their teen has been harmed, TF-CBT often aims to support their emotional healing while educating them on how they can support their child's recovery.
This approach has demonstrated positive results in adolescents affected by a variety of traumas, including sexual abuse, natural disasters, war, and domestic violence. A 2018 research review concluded that TF-CBT may be slightly more effective than EMDR for children and teens.
Preventative trauma therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in teens
Most research to date on treating trauma in youth has focused on therapies provided after the affected individuals have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. However, a 2016 study found support for the effectiveness of cognitive therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD) as an early treatment for preventing mental illness in young people exposed to trauma.
Cognitive therapy to improve mental health
If you know that your adolescent child has experienced a potentially traumatizing event, and they’re displaying early symptoms of post-traumatic stress like those described above, they might be able to benefit from cognitive therapy.
Factors enabling successful trauma therapy in teens
If your teen is engaging in trauma treatment, taking an active role in their recovery process may help them achieve better results. A 2020 review of studies on adolescent PTSD identified parental involvement as a factor that led to larger treatment effects. That’s one reason why TF-CBT might be marginally more effective than EMDR — parents and caregivers are typically invited to take an active role.
If you’re not able to participate directly in therapy sessions with your teen, you can get involved by educating yourself on trauma, PTSD, and adolescent mental health. You may also want to make sure your child knows they can talk openly with you about anything they’re comfortable discussing from therapy sessions.
Higher treatment doses — meaning more or longer therapy sessions — also tended to be linked with better outcomes. You may be able to give your teen better odds of recovery by ensuring that they’re getting enough help to make a difference and that they don’t drop out of therapy prematurely.
Another factor that appears to positively influence treatment is a trusting, cooperative relationship between a teen’s therapist and parents or caregivers. When selecting a treatment provider for your adolescent child, you may want to take time to meet with them ahead of time, ask them about their treatment methods, and make sure they seem like someone with whom you have a decent rapport.
Finding mental health care when your teen is engaged in trauma therapy
One factor that may reduce treatment effectiveness for trauma in adolescents is the presence of mental disorders like depression in their parents. Finding a therapist to help you support your own mental health could enable you to provide more effective support for your teen’s recovery from trauma.
Seeking a referral from your primary care physician can be a simple but useful way to get started. You might also want to search for a qualified mental health professional through your insurance provider, or use free online resources such as the following:
- American Psychological Association: Psychologist Locator
- American Psychiatric Association: Find a Psychiatrist
- Substance Administration and Mental Health Services Administration: FindTreatment.gov
- National Register of Health Service Psychologists: Find a Psychologist
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS): Find a Clinician
- American Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies: Find a Therapist
Online therapy for mental health
Online therapy may be another convenient option, especially if you’re unsure how to find time to go to therapy while also assisting with your teen’s treatment and managing your other responsibilities. Internet therapy typically allows for flexible scheduling, with no need to commute to sessions.
Effectiveness of online therapy
Web-based therapy can be an effective way to improve your mental health. A research overview published in 2017 concluded that online cognitive-behavioral therapy can successfully treat a wide range of conditions, including major depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder (among others). Seeking help online may help you assist your teen’s healing journey more effectively.
Takeaway
What is the best trauma treatment for adolescents?
The best treatments for teen trauma typically include trauma-informed therapy methods like trauma-focused CBT and EMDR therapy, which effectively address distressing symptoms of trauma. These treatments help the child or adolescent process experienced trauma, manage emotions, and reduce the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is the most effective therapy for trauma?
For individuals who have experienced trauma, the most effective treatments often involve trauma-informed therapy approaches. Two widely recognized methods are EMDR therapy and trauma-focused CBT, both of which help individuals process traumatic memories, reduce distress, and manage intense emotional responses in a safe and structured way. Additional therapies, such as talk therapy and group therapy, can complement these primary methods.
Is CBT or EMDR better for childhood trauma?
Both trauma-focused CBT and EMDR therapy are effective approaches for treating childhood trauma. However, trauma-focused CBT may be especially beneficial for younger children, as it often includes family therapy, supports the development of parenting skills, and directly addresses symptoms related to the trauma.
What is the best way to deal with trauma?
One of the most effective ways to work through past trauma is by engaging in trauma-informed therapy with professional help. A trauma-informed approach focuses on creating a sense of safety and trust while helping individuals build healthy coping strategies. This often includes cognitive coping techniques and evidence-based treatments like EMDR or art therapy to support healing.
What is the first line treatment for trauma?
First-line trauma-informed therapy approaches often include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). These methods are widely recognized for their effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma-focused CBT helps individuals process traumatic experiences and develop healthy coping strategies, while EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess distressing memories in a less emotionally intense way.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy is a trauma-informed therapy that helps people process distressing memories by combining guided recall with bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. This approach supports emotional healing by reducing the intensity of negative feelings and promoting more positive beliefs about oneself and the world.
Can therapy heal childhood trauma?
Yes, professional treatment using trauma-informed therapy, such as trauma-focused CBT or EMDR, can play a key role in the healing process. These methods effectively assist individuals who have experienced trauma, including from a natural disaster, school shootings, exposure to a life-threatening illness, or other potentially traumatic event. They may help build emotional resilience and reduce the risk of future mental disorders.
What are trauma interventions?
Trauma interventions involve different forms of trauma-informed therapy designed to support young adults and most children who have experienced trauma. Approaches such as cognitive processing therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and exposure therapy aim to address distressing symptoms, including anxiety disorders, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. These interventions can help reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being.
What type of therapist is best for childhood trauma?
Therapists who specialize in a trauma-informed approach are often the best choice for addressing childhood trauma. These professionals use methods like trauma-focused CBT, EMDR therapy, and family therapy to help individuals and their family members process early traumatic experiences, improve emotional regulation, and build healthier relationships.
How to overcome youth trauma?
Overcoming youth trauma often starts with seeking treatment from a mental health professional who uses a trauma-informed approach. For young adults, therapy can be an effective way to manage emotions, process post-traumatic stress, and build healthy coping mechanisms. In some cases, especially when anxiety disorders are present, short-term use of anti-anxiety medications may also be recommended under medical supervision.
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