Teens & Trauma: A Teen Therapist’s Guide for Supporting Your Teen After a Traumatic Experience
Blog written by Christoffer Loderup, Therapist at Shade Tree Family Counseling
HI THERE PARENTS!
Trauma can be a variety of things, ranging from a singular incident (like a car accident or natural disaster) to something more chronic (like ongoing emotional abuse). Regardless of the trauma, it's important to remember that healing is possible, with your help or with the help of teen counseling.
CREATING A SAFE SPACE: THE FIRST STEP
Your first is to reestablish a safe environment. For things like a car accident or natural disaster, the first steps of healing will be physical; prioritize physical healing and ensure their basic needs are met (nutrition, sleep, etc.). For physical or sexual abuse, establishing safety may involve getting a protection order, reporting things to the police, finding a safe living situation, and reassuring your teen they don’t have to see that person again. In chronic, more unavoidable situations, helping your teen establish clear boundaries can help them avoid traumatic experiences.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS AFTER TRAUMA
After establishing safety, prioritize rebuilding healthy connections. Trauma can trigger isolation, which is understandable in small doses, but not healthy long-term. Encourage your teen to reconnect with trusted friends, family, or mentors – these connections can be even more impactful than therapy. Help them find ways to re-engage that feel positive and meaningful.
WHEN YOUR TEEN RESISTS HELP
Now, you might be thinking, "My teen simply withdraws whenever I try to discuss it!" That's completely understandable. Healing cannot be forced, and after experiencing a lack of control during the trauma, talking about it with you or in therapy might feel even more overwhelming.
Instead, consider offering them choices and a sense of control in their life. Remember, a sense of control fosters feelings of safety. And guess what? It's perfectly okay if they're not ready to talk about it right away. Healing is a process, sometimes taking years, so respect their pace.
TALKING ABOUT TRAUMA: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
If your teen does want to talk, high-five them for their bravery! Let them know they're not on this journey alone. Thank them for opening up, and hey, if you don't have all the answers, that's OK! Offer to find them together. The most important thing is creating a calm and supportive space where they feel comfortable opening up.
If thinking about or listening to their experience triggers you, that's normal too. It's called secondary trauma, it’s common among first responders. If you’re getting triggered, you can get help working through your own emotions with a therapist. Both EMDR and ART are great trauma-processing treatments. Doing your own emotional work will help you be the rock your teen needs.
WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP WITH TEEN COUNSELING
Finally, you may be wondering when to seek professional help. Honestly, it depends on your teen’s situation. Teen counseling isn't always necessary, especially if your teen has:
A strong support network
Stress from the event subsides within a few weeks or months
Can turn to friends and family for comfort and talk openly about the event
The ability to function in daily life returns over time
They might be able to rely on friends and family to feel safe and process their experiences. However, therapy is always an option, even with a strong support system.
On the other hand, consider seeking teen counseling if your teen exhibits signs of:
Chronic stress that persists
Difficulty recovering (e.g., not resuming hobbies or experiencing persistent low mood)
Lack of a social support network (feeling isolated)
Engaging in risky or dangerous behaviors
Worsening depression or anxiety
Increased substance use
Withdrawing from friends and family more than usual
Any other behaviors that seem completely out of character
HEALING IS POSSIBLE
Remember, healing from trauma is a journey, but it’s possible. By creating a safe space, offering your unwavering support, and seeking professional teen therapist’s help when needed, you can be a powerful force in your teen's recovery. If you’re interested in helping your teen get professional teen counseling at Shade Tree Family Counseling for the trauma they’ve experienced, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can set up a free consultation to ensure we’re a good fit.
Provide Extra Support For Your Teen’s Trauma With The Help of Teen Counseling in Salt Lake City, UT
If your teen is struggling to overcome trauma from a distressing experience, don't let them face it alone. Seeking teen counseling can provide the support and guidance they need to navigate through their emotions and heal. Take the first step towards their recovery by reaching out to a qualified teen therapist at Shade Tree Family Counseling who specializes in adolescent trauma. Your proactive approach can make a profound difference in their journey towards healing and resilience. Follow these three simple steps to get started:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if Teen Counseling is right for your teen
Begin meeting with a skilled teen therapist
Start supporting your teen and help them overcome trauma!
Other Services Offered at Shade Tree Family Counseling
At Shade Tree Family Counseling, we want to provide support for the whole family. So in addition to helping your teen with their trauma in teen counseling, our team offers EMDR-Trauma Therapy for those struggling to overcome past trauma and want to begin healing, and Teen Group Therapy for teens looking for extra support from those their own age. For more about teen counseling check out our blog!