Trauma commonly occurs among teens and adolescents in the United States. Adolescence is a crucial time for mental health development, and any traumatic experiences during this period can have lasting effects on a young person’s well-being. Challenges in everyday life may occur due to traumatic events, but treatment is available to help reduce trauma-related problems.
Trauma-informed care is a treatment that considers traumatic histories and focuses on building trust and safety. A trauma treatment program uses techniques to reduce trauma symptoms and provide a safe environment for teens to process their experiences. Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness offers trauma-informed care that can help adolescents work through trauma. We help support adolescents and their families as they begin to heal from their trauma.
Call us today at 855.940.6229 to learn more about how our mental health treatment for adolescents can make a difference in your child’s life.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is a term used to describe a wide range of intense and negative experiences. While it often refers to physical injuries, trauma can also refer to emotional or psychological injuries. These can be caused by a single event, such as a car accident or natural disaster. Ongoing experiences, such as child abuse or exposure to violence, can also cause trauma.
Trauma can have a profound effect on mental and emotional health. The effects can be especially tough on adolescents because the teenage years are typically a time of significant physical and psychological change. Trauma can disrupt this process of maturing.
Teens who have experienced trauma may feel isolated, confused, and helpless. Struggles with trusting others and coping with powerful emotions may occur due to a traumatic experience. In addition, problems with relationships, school, and work may occur.
Understanding the Types of Trauma
Adolescence is a time of rapid change and development. The teenage years can be a period of great excitement and discovery. However, it can also be a time of confusion and vulnerability. Unfortunately, adolescents are often exposed to traumatic events that leave them scared, alone, and overwhelmed.
Four main types of trauma can occur during adolescence:
Acute Trauma
A single event typically causes acute trauma. Examples may include the death of a friend or relative, a natural disaster, or a car accident. The young person may feel shocked and frightened after the event, have difficulty sleeping or eating, and avoid people or activities that serve as a reminder of the traumatic event that may occur. With time and support, recovering from acute trauma is likely.
Chronic Trauma
Chronic trauma refers to repeated exposure to traumatic events, such as physical or sexual abuse. This type of trauma can have a lasting impact on an adolescent’s mental and physical health. They may develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance use. They may also experience difficulties in relationships and at school.
Complex Trauma
Complex trauma occurs due to repeated exposure to distressing events. This can include sexual or physical abuse, witnessing violence, or growing up in a war zone. Complex trauma often leads to long-term mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression in young people.
Neglect
Neglect is another form of trauma that can occur in adolescence. Unlike complex trauma, which is typically the result of intentional harm, neglect results from an ongoing lack of care. Neglectful parents may fail to provide their children with basic needs such as food, shelter, or clothing. Caretakers may also fail to provide emotional support, leading to feelings of isolation and abandonment.
What to Expect in Our Teen Trauma Treatment Program
Adolescents who have experienced trauma can often have difficulty trusting others, managing emotions, and functioning daily. As a result, extra support may be needed to heal from traumatic experiences. Trauma-informed care focuses on providing this support safely and respectfully. This can involve everything from training staff in trauma-sensitive practices to creating a safe environment.
By collaborating with adolescents and involving them in decision-making, trauma-informed care empowers them to take control of their lives. Young people also learn how to build trusting relationships. This approach can help them recover from trauma and develop the skills needed to lead healthy, successful lives.
How is Trauma Treated in Teens?
There are effective treatments for trauma survivors that can help reduce symptoms that present as a result of trauma. These include individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Each adolescent can respond differently to trauma, so it is essential to tailor the treatment to their individual needs.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that focuses on changing thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. CBT can be an effective treatment for trauma in adolescents. CBT typically involves several steps to promote healing and recovery when addressing trauma in adolescents, such as:
1. Identify Thoughts and Beliefs
The first step in CBT is to help adolescents identify their thoughts and beliefs about the trauma. This is done through individual or group therapy sessions. Once the thoughts and beliefs have been identified, the therapist will help the adolescent challenge and change these thoughts. They’ll do this by helping adolescents see the situation from different perspectives and reframe their thinking.
2. Change Behavior
The next step is to help adolescents to change their behavior. This is done through exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing adolescents to situations that trigger their trauma symptoms.
3. Maintain New Thoughts and Behaviors
The final step is to help adolescents maintain their new thoughts and behaviors. This is accomplished through continuing therapy sessions and by providing support and resources for when they are triggered.
Medication
Medication is another treatment option available for adolescents who have experienced trauma. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating trauma. However, medication can help manage some symptoms associated with PTSD and other disorders.
Anti-anxiety medications can help reduce feelings of anxiety and panic. While antidepressant medication can help improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. A customized treatment plan can be created to include medications when needed.
Benefits of Teen Trauma Treatment
Our treatment program for adolescents offers numerous benefits that are instrumental in their healing and recovery process:
- Resilience building – The program instills resilience in adolescents, empowering them to navigate adversity and bounce back after traumatic events.
- Improved emotional regulation – By learning to manage and express their feelings appropriately, teens are better equipped to handle challenging situations and complex emotions.
- Enhanced self-esteem – The program helps adolescents rebuild their sense of self and boosts their self-esteem, which often gets eroded due to traumatic experiences.
- Improved academic performance – As adolescents gain control over their emotions and learn coping mechanisms, they can better focus on their academics, leading to improved performance in school.
- Healthy relationships – The program helps adolescents forge healthy relationships with their peers, family, and teachers by developing trust and improving communication skills.
- Reduced symptoms – The program aims to reduce symptoms of trauma-related disorders, enhancing the overall quality of life for adolescents.
Remember, the road to recovery from trauma can be challenging, but with proper help and support, adolescents can regain control over their lives and thrive.
Contact Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness to Start Trauma Treatment
Experiences with trauma can be debilitating during adolescence and lead to mental health conditions. Trauma treatment can include therapy and trauma-informed care to ensure feelings of safety and comfort. With a trauma treatment program, adolescents can reduce mental health condition symptoms from traumatic experiences.
Trauma care and therapy are available at Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness if your teen is struggling with trauma. Our experienced and compassionate team is dedicated to helping adolescents heal from trauma. Contact us today at 855.940.6229 to learn more about our trauma treatment program in Massachusetts. Together, we can help your teen on their journey to recovery and mental wellness.
