Trauma is an unfortunately common experience for many people, including teenagers. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I’ve worked with many teens who have experienced some form of trauma, whether it be a childhood experience, parental separation/divorce, or even something like bullying. In this blog post, we will dive into the effects of trauma on teens, the signs and symptoms to look out for, and treatment options available to consider.
First off, let’s define trauma. Trauma is any experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. This can include physical or sexual abuse, neglect, natural disasters, car accidents, and more. Trauma can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental health and well-being, especially if it’s not addressed. This can cause difficulty with various aspects of life, including but not limited to:
- Managing and expressing emotions
- Forming and maintaining relationships
- Trust
- Self-esteem
- Concentration and memory
- Sleep and physical health
- Their overall sense of safety and security
When it comes to teenagers, trauma can affect them in many ways. One of the most common effects is the development of anxiety or depression. Teens may become more withdrawn or moody, have trouble sleeping or eating, or struggle with schoolwork. They may also start to engage in risky behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use or self-harm.
Other symptoms of trauma in teens can include:
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Difficulty concentrating
- Avoidance of certain situations or people
- Feelings of guilt or shame
- Hyperarousal or hypervigilance (always feeling on edge or alert)
It’s important to know that not every teen will experience trauma the same way. Some may be obvious, while others show no telltale signs at all.
If a parent knows or suspects that their teenager has experienced trauma, there are several things they can do to support them:
- Listen and validate: It is important for parents to listen to their teenager’s experiences and validate their feelings. They can offer support and comfort, and let their teenager know that they are there for them.
- Seek professional help: Trauma can be complex and may require professional help. Parents can help their teenager find a therapist to work with the teenager to develop coping strategies and help them process their experiences.
- Create a safe and supportive environment: Parents can help their teenager feel safe and supported at home by providing a stable and nurturing environment. This may involve establishing routines, setting clear boundaries, and providing emotional support.
- Encourage healthy coping strategies: Parents can encourage their teenager to engage in healthy coping strategies, such as exercise, mindfulness practices, and creative outlets like art or music. They can also encourage their teenager to engage in social activities with friends and family.
- Educate themselves: Parents can educate themselves about trauma and its effects on teenagers. This can help them better understand their teenager’s experiences and provide more effective support.
- Practice self-care: It is important for parents to take care of their own physical and emotional needs. This can help them better support their teenager and model healthy coping strategies.
Overall, supporting a teenager who has experienced trauma requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to seek professional help when needed. If you decide it’s time to seek help, look for a qualified therapist that you and your family can trust. There are many treatment options available for teens who have experienced trauma. It can help to consider which approach may be right for your teen. Some approaches that therapists may use, include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This type of therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. For teens who have experienced trauma, CBT may be helpful in addressing feelings of guilt or shame, as well as any avoidance behaviors.
- Narrative Therapy: This type of therapy helps individuals identify their trauma story and empowers them to re-write their traumatic experiences to create a new, more helpful personal story, free of fear, anxiety, guilt, and shame.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This type of therapy focuses on developing specific skills to help them manage and heal. Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness techniques can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations related to trauma, and learn to tolerate distressing experiences. Clients learn relaxation techniques and self-soothing strategies to help manage difficult emotions. DBT can help individuals learn effective communication skills, boundary-setting, and ways to build and maintain healthy relationships.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: This therapy focuses on exploring and processing unconscious emotions and memories related to the trauma. This helps individuals gain insight into the root causes of their symptoms, and develop coping strategies to address them.
- Play therapy: For younger teens or those who have trouble expressing themselves verbally, play therapy can be a helpful tool. This type of therapy allows teens to express themselves through play and can help them work through traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment. It can ease them into practicing talking about their traumatic experiences which can be a stepping stone toward healing.
At Outside the Norm Counseling in Temecula, California, we offer a variety of therapeutic approaches to help teens who have experienced trauma. Our therapists are trained to utilize evidence-based treatments and tailor an approach to work with your teens specific needs, personality, likes/dislikes so that the therapeutic connection feels meaningful and supportive.
It’s not just about the therapy techniques we use. At Outside the Norm Counseling, we believe in treating the whole person. That means taking a holistic approach to therapy, addressing not just the symptoms of trauma, but also the underlying causes and any other mental health concerns that may be present. We also believe in creating a safe and supportive environment for our clients. We know that teens may be hesitant to open up about their experiences, especially if they feel ashamed or embarrassed. That’s why we strive to create a non-judgmental space where teens can feel comfortable talking about their feelings and experiences.
If you know or suspect that your teen has experienced trauma, don’t wait to seek help. The sooner they receive treatment, the better the outcomes are likely to be. Trauma can have a profound impact on a teenager’s life, but it’s important to remember that with the right treatment, healing is possible, allowing your teen to overcome their trauma and move forward in their life.
I know seeking therapy can be a daunting task, especially for teenagers. That’s why at Outside the Norm Counseling, we make it a priority to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for all of our clients. Our therapists are trained to work with teens and understand the unique challenges they face, from school stress to peer pressure.
