Trauma History and Symptoms
Careful exploration of what happened, how your child experienced it, and current symptoms (such as nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, or mood changes).
TRAUMA TREATMENT for Children & Teens
Trauma can deeply affect a child or teen’s sense of safety, trust, and self-worth. Whether the trauma is from a single event or ongoing experiences, it often shows up in ways that aren’t always obvious—changes in mood, behavior, sleep, relationships, or school performance.
At PAC Psych, we understand how overwhelming it is to see your child struggling after something difficult. Our job is to help children, teens, and families process what’s happened, regain a sense of safety, and build the skills needed to move forward. Treatment is especially helpful when trauma is affecting daily life, relationships, or emotional well-being.
From our Upper West Side practice, we use interviews, evidence-based measures, and input from home and school to create a clear understanding of your child’s needs—and a concrete plan for healing and recovery.
When a Trauma Assessment Can Help
A focused trauma assessment may be recommended when:
- Your child seems withdrawn, anxious, irritable, or easily startled after a distressing event
- There are sudden changes in sleep, appetite, mood, or school performance
- Your child avoids reminders of the traumatic event or seems “numb” or detached
- Teachers notice your child is struggling to concentrate, participate, or connect with peers
- You’re unsure whether your child’s reactions are “normal” or signs of trauma that need support
Families often reach out when they see ongoing distress or behavioral changes that don’t resolve with time or reassurance. A trauma assessment helps clarify what’s happening and guides the next steps for healing.
What We Look At When Assessing for Trauma
Every evaluation is tailored to the child, but a typical trauma assessment may include:
Emotional and Behavioral Functioning
Questionnaires, interviews, and observations to understand anxiety, depression, anger, and coping skills.
School and Social Functioning
Information from teachers and school staff about participation, peer relationships, and any changes in behavior or performance.
Family and Environmental Factors
Understanding family responses, cultural background, previous experiences, and available supports.
We integrate all this information to create a full picture: how trauma is affecting your child, what is maintaining distress, and which approaches are most likely to support healing.
Initial Parent/Caregiver Consultation
We begin with a detailed meeting with parents or caregivers (often without the child present at first) to understand the traumatic event(s), your child’s reactions, developmental and medical history, and your concerns. We review any prior reports or evaluations and clarify the key questions guiding the assessment.
Information from School and Other Providers
With your permission, we gather insights from teachers, school counselors, and other providers. This may include rating scales, written feedback, and (when possible) classroom observations.
Child/Teen Meetings and Observation
We meet with your child in a gradual, supportive way, never forcing them to discuss anything before they’re ready. We may:
- Use play, drawing, or storytelling to help them express feelings and experiences
- Observe their comfort in different settings and with different activities
- Gently explore their understanding of what happened, using age-appropriate approaches
Our goal is to help your child feel safe and understood, and to identify what will best support their healing.
What an Intake for Trauma Therapy May Look Like
Children and teens who have experienced trauma may feel especially vulnerable. At PAC Psych, we design our intake process to be gentle, flexible, and centered on your child’s comfort and readiness.
Supporting Families Through the Process
We know that trauma affects the whole family. Parents may feel guilt, anger, or uncertainty about how to help. Throughout the process, we:
- Normalize your child’s and your own reactions, emphasizing that trauma responses are not a sign of weakness or failure
- Provide guidance on how to support your child at home and advocate for their needs at school
- Offer tools for managing difficult emotions and fostering resilience as a family
- Help you prioritize next steps so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the process
Our goal is for you to leave with a clear understanding of your child’s needs and a practical, compassionate plan for recovery.
Is Extra Support After a Trauma Right for My Child?
While some children recover naturally after difficult experiences, others need extra support to heal and move forward. If your child’s distress is lasting, worsening, or interfering with daily life, trauma treatment can make a real difference.
If you’re unsure whether your child needs trauma-specific support or a broader evaluation, we’re here to talk through your concerns and help you find the best next step.
Getting Started with Trauma Support at PAC Psych
If you’re considering support for your child after trauma, the first step is to schedule an intake. We’ll discuss your concerns, review your child’s experiences and symptoms, and talk through what a treatment plan would look like.
Ready to explore how trauma assessment and support can help your child heal? Contact us to schedule a consultation.