PTSD & Trauma Therapy for Children & Teens
Helping Your Child Heal and Reclaim Their Sense of Safety
Traumatic experiences can profoundly impact a child's sense of security, emotional regulation, and view of the world. Whether your child has experienced a single overwhelming event or ongoing stressful circumstances, trauma can affect brain development, behavior, relationships, and learning. As both a licensed therapist and mother of three San Francisco teenagers, I understand the delicate nature of trauma work with young people and the importance of trauma-informed care.
Trauma therapy provides children and teens with a safe, supportive environment to process difficult experiences, reduce traumatic stress symptoms, and develop healthy coping skills for managing triggers and emotional responses. Through specialized therapeutic approaches tailored to your child's unique needs and developmental stage, we can help your child heal from past experiences and rebuild their sense of safety and trust.
Looking to help your child heal from traumatic experiences? Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together on this important healing journey.
Understanding Trauma Responses in Children & Teens
Trauma responses in young people often look different from adult reactions:
Physical responses: Sleep disturbances, stomachaches, headaches, heightened startle response
Emotional signs: Intense fears, irritability, mood swings, emotional numbing
Behavioral changes: Regression, aggression, withdrawal, reenactment in play
Cognitive effects: Intrusive thoughts, difficulty concentrating, negative beliefs about self/others
Relational impacts: Trust issues, attachment difficulties, social withdrawal
Children may experience trauma from many sources: accidents, natural disasters, medical procedures, witnessing violence, abuse or neglect, bullying, loss of a loved one, or other overwhelming experiences. These experiences can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related challenges.
My Approach to Trauma Therapy
My therapeutic approach to childhood and adolescent trauma combines several evidence-based trauma treatments:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): A structured approach to processing traumatic experiences and managing responses
Play therapy techniques: Using play to express and process trauma in developmentally appropriate ways
EMDR (adapted for children): Helping the brain process traumatic memories
Somatic approaches: Addressing the body's trauma responses
Family systems work: Supporting parents in creating a healing environment
Mindfulness practices: Developing present-moment awareness and grounding skills
As both a therapist and mother, I bring professional expertise and gentle compassion to our work together. I create a safe, nurturing therapeutic environment where children can process difficult experiences at their own pace and in ways that feel comfortable to them.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Trauma Therapy
Consider reaching out if your child:
Has experienced a potentially traumatic event or circumstances
Shows changes in behavior, mood, or functioning following difficult experiences
Demonstrates increased fears, anxiety, or worries about safety
Has nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts about the event
Shows avoidance of reminders of the traumatic experience
Demonstrates regression to earlier developmental behaviors
Has developed negative beliefs about themselves, others, or the world
Shows difficulty regulating emotions or behavior following trauma
Supporting Parents of Traumatized Children
Parents play a crucial role in trauma healing. Through our work together, I'll help you:
Understand trauma responses in children at different developmental stages
Create a sense of safety and predictability at home
Respond effectively to trauma triggers and reactions
Balance normal expectations with trauma-informed flexibility
Process your own feelings about your child's traumatic experiences
Practice self-care while supporting your child's healing
For parents seeking additional guidance, I also offer specialized parent coaching sessions focused on supporting children through trauma recovery.
Begin Your Child's Journey to Healing
While trauma can have significant impacts, children have remarkable capacity for healing and resilience when provided with appropriate support. As both a licensed therapist and mother of three teenagers here in San Francisco, I bring professional knowledge and heartfelt compassion to our therapeutic relationship.
Contact me today for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can work together to help your child heal from traumatic experiences and rebuild their sense of safety and well-being.
