Therapy for Trauma
PTSD Therapy for Children, Teens, & Young Adults in California
Understanding PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often associated with individuals who have experienced one or more traumatic events, which can significantly affect their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. PTSD can manifest in a variety of symptoms that go beyond the traditional understanding of the disorder. These symptoms may include anxiety, avoidance of triggering situations, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, depression, and difficulty coping with everyday stressors. Many people struggling with trauma do not meet all the diagnostic criteria for PTSD but still experience lasting effects.
We aim to help individuals and families process traumatic experiences, reduce distress, and rebuild a sense of control over their lives.
Who We Help
We provide trauma therapy care for individuals of all ages, from children as young as 3 to adults in California. Trauma can affect people in different ways, and the symptoms can show up in various forms, such as anxiety, difficulty in relationships, behavioral challenges, or emotional struggles.
While the following list is not exhaustive, it offers a glimpse into the types of clients we support and the needs they bring to the Child Psychology Center:
Children and teens: Experiencing behavioral changes, school difficulties, or challenges in friendships due to past traumatic experiences.
Young adults: Struggling with managing stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms following trauma.
Adults: Dealing with the long-term effects of trauma, including flashbacks, difficulty in relationships, or avoidance of triggers.
Parents and families: Seeking guidance and support in managing the impact of a child or family member’s trauma.
While we are ‘The Child Psychology Center’ and specialize in treating children, we also offer virtual therapy services to adults throughout California and in-person therapy in Carlsbad, California.
We help individuals navigate the aftermath of trauma, providing tailored therapy to meet their unique needs. By addressing both the trauma and its accompanying symptoms, we empower our clients to heal and thrive.
Our Therapeutic Approach
We use evidence-based therapies tailored to the developmental stage of the client. For children and teens, we primarily utilize Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), a proven method for helping younger individuals cope with the emotional impact of trauma. For adults and young adults, we employ a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, which allow clients to confront their traumatic memories in a safe and controlled environment, gradually reducing distress and building resilience. We also provide Parent Coaching to support caregivers in managing the effects of trauma on their children and families.
Common Goals in Trauma Therapy
The goals of PTSD therapy can vary depending on the individual, but they typically focus on reducing trauma-related symptoms and improving overall well-being. Common goals include:
Reducing feelings of anxiety and panic attacks
Increasing self-esteem and confidence
Improving relationships and building trust
Decreasing avoidance of situations or triggers related to trauma
Enhancing coping strategies for managing distressing memories or flashbacks
Improving sleep patterns and overcoming nightmares
Better managing academic or work-related stress
Enhancing communication skills and assertiveness
Addressing separation anxiety, especially in children and teens
These goals are developed collaboratively with the client and may evolve over time as progress is made. By setting clear, manageable goals, we work with clients to help them move toward healing.
What a Typical Session Looks Like
A typical session will last about 45 minutes, with a focus on providing a safe space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings related to their trauma. Sessions can be in-person or virtual, depending on the client’s preference and comfort level. In our work with children, we often incorporate creative modalities like play, art, and writing to help them express their emotions in a non-threatening way. For older clients, we may focus more on cognitive processing, including exploring the narratives they have around their traumatic experiences. Parent coaching may happen concurrently, giving caregivers the tools to support their children effectively.
Our Unique Approach
What sets our therapy apart at The Child Psychology Center is our ability to adapt well-established treatment modalities to meet the unique needs of each client. We don’t just follow a "one-size-fits-all" approach. We adjust our methods to fit the developmental stage of the client, their cultural background, and their personal preferences. By incorporating creative therapies such as art and play for younger clients, and a narrative approach for older clients, we create a safe, personalized environment where healing can begin.
Collaboration with Clients and Families
We believe that therapy works best when there’s a strong partnership between the therapist, the client, and their family members. Collaboration is especially important in trauma treatment, where the healing process involves not only addressing the trauma but also ensuring the ongoing support of the family. Our approach includes:
Regular check-ins with both clients and parents to monitor progress
Active involvement of parents in the treatment process, especially for younger clients
Providing psychoeducation to families to help them understand trauma’s effects
Setting clear goals together and revising them as needed
This collaborative process fosters trust and a sense of control for clients, making the healing journey feel more manageable and empowering.
Challenges Addressed in Trauma Therapy
We address a wide range of challenges that can arise after experiencing trauma, whether the individual meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or not. Common challenges include:
Persistent anxiety and fear following a traumatic event
Difficulty engaging in regular activities due to avoidance or fear
Emotional dysregulation, including difficulty managing big emotions
Struggles in school or work due to trauma-related distress
Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts
Behavioral challenges stemming from unprocessed trauma
Our therapy addresses these symptoms directly, helping clients regain a sense of safety and normalcy in their daily lives.
What Clients Can Expect
Clients can expect a warm, compassionate therapeutic environment where they feel supported and understood. Our therapists create a space that respects the pace at which clients want to move through their healing journey. The therapeutic relationship is built on trust and empathy, and clients will develop the tools they need to process their trauma, manage distressing memories, and ultimately regain a sense of control over their lives. We prioritize creating a comfortable space where clients feel safe enough to open up and heal.
Long-Term Benefits of Trauma Therapy
While trauma treatment can be difficult, the long-term benefits are immense. Clients who engage in trauma therapy can expect:
Improved coping skills and better emotional regulation
Enhanced self-esteem and self-compassion
Healthier relationships with others
A more positive outlook on life and improved emotional resilience
The ability to process and talk about their trauma without overwhelming distress
More effective communication and assertiveness
Ultimately, our therapy helps clients find peace and move forward in life with greater strength and clarity.
Adapting Therapy to Your Needs
We are flexible in adjusting therapy to suit the client’s progress and evolving needs. If a client’s circumstances change during therapy, such as a new trauma or shift in symptoms, we are able to revise goals or explore different treatment modalities. We also understand that the pace of healing varies for each individual, and we tailor our interventions to ensure clients continue to feel supported and engaged in their progress.
Special Considerations or Exclusions
While our trauma therapy is highly effective for most individuals, there are certain situations where more intensive treatment may be necessary. For example, when a client experiences severe, unmanageable trauma symptoms that disrupt their daily functioning, more intensive care might be needed. Additionally, if trauma symptoms are intertwined with other serious mental health conditions, such as untreated OCD or severe ADHD, we may need to focus on addressing the trauma first before progressing with other treatment goals. This ensures that the foundational issues are dealt with before moving on to other therapeutic interventions.
Ready to start therapy?
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Ready to start therapy? 〰️
Other Services:
Child Psychology Center offers neuro-affirming, culturally competent, evidence-based therapy for children (ages 0+), teens and caregivers. We offer virtual therapy for people throughout all of California, and we offer in-person therapy in Carlsbad, CA. Our services are available in both English and Mandarin. Our licensed psychologists offer psychological assessments. While our therapists specialize in treating children, we also treat adults. We specialize in treating anxiety, child behavioral problems, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, autism (ASD), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We offer parent coaching and consultation. We would love to support you along your journey. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation today!