Intrusive memories, nightmares, or strong reactions to reminders
Trauma Therapy for Children & Teens
Difficult experiences—such as accidents, medical procedures, violence, bullying, loss, or sudden changes—can leave children and teens feeling scared, on edge, or unlike themselves. At PAC Psych, our trauma therapy services help young people make sense of what happened, reduce distressing symptoms, and feel safer in their bodies and in the world. We use evidence-based, developmentally sensitive approaches to support healing at a pace that feels safe and respectful.
At our child-friendly Upper West Side practice, we tailor trauma treatment to your child’s age, history, and needs so therapy feels contained and manageable—not re-traumatizing or overwhelming.
What Is Trauma Therapy, in Kid-Friendly Terms?
We often explain trauma therapy to kids as “a safe place to talk and play about something really hard that happened, so it doesn’t feel so big and scary inside anymore.”
- Thoughts are the pictures or memories your brain keeps bringing up—sometimes even when you don’t want them.
- Feelings are how those memories and worries show up in your body—like a tight chest, jumpiness, or wanting to cry or get angry.
- Behaviors are what you do next—like avoiding certain places, getting extra clingy, or melting down over small things.
Trauma therapy helps children and teens understand what happened, why their brain and body are reacting the way they are, and how to cope. Over time, they build a toolbox of ways to feel safer, calmer, and more in control—at home, at school, and in the community.
When Trauma Therapy Can Help
Trauma-focused treatment is especially helpful when a child or teen has gone through something scary, painful, or overwhelming and is still struggling afterward. We often work with:
Avoidance of people, places, or activities that bring up the event
Increased irritability, anger, or emotional outbursts
Changes in sleep, appetite, or school performance after a difficult experience
Many families come to us when they notice that “they haven’t been the same since…”—even if the event was months or years ago. Structured trauma therapy offers a clear, step-by-step way to help kids and teens process what happened and move forward.
Contact Us to Learn MoreHow We Treat Trauma at PAC Psych
Trauma therapy at PAC Psych is:
Goal-oriented
We work with you and your child to set specific, realistic goals (for example, “have fewer nightmares,” “go back to activities I used to enjoy,” or “feel less jumpy and on edge”).Active and practical
Sessions focus not only on talking about what happened, but also on building coping skills, understanding trauma responses, and gradually facing reminders in a safe, planned way.Tailored to age and underlying causes
Treatment for a 7-year-old after a medical emergency looks different from treatment for a 16-year-old after an assault or ongoing bullying. We adjust the language, pacing, and methods so they fit your child.
We draw on evidence-based approaches such as trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), play-based trauma interventions, and parent-focused support. Depending on your child’s needs, we may also coordinate with schools, pediatricians, or other providers to support safety and stability across settings.
What Trauma Therapy Looks Like by Age
Younger Children (Ages 6–10):
For younger kids, trauma therapy is often woven into play, art, and simple stories. We might use:
- Drawing, dolls, or play scenarios to gently explore themes related to the event
- Feelings charts and body maps to help them notice where feelings show up
- Games and activities to practice calming skills like deep breathing, grounding, and safe-place imagery
We move slowly and carefully, following your child’s cues and ensuring they feel safe. Parents are closely involved so the coping skills and language we use in session can be reinforced at home.
Preteens and Teens:
With preteens and teens, trauma work often blends structured trauma-focused CBT with collaborative conversation. We help them:
- Understand common trauma responses so they feel less “crazy” or alone
- Tell the story of what happened in a safe, contained way, at a pace they can tolerate
- Identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs (for example, self-blame or “the world is completely unsafe”)
- Practice coping skills for flashbacks, triggers, and strong emotions, and gradually re-engage with situations they’ve been avoiding
Teens often appreciate that trauma therapy is straightforward and respectful, and that they have a say in the pace and focus of the work.
The Parent Role in Trauma Therapy
Parents and caregivers are a crucial part of trauma recovery. At PAC Psych, we keep you informed about the overall plan, help you understand trauma responses so your child’s behavior makes more sense, and coach you on how to respond in ways that support healing. This may include:
- Learning how to listen and validate without pushing your child to share more than they’re ready to
- Creating predictable routines and safety cues at home
- Managing your own understandable emotions about what happened
When additional support is needed, we may recommend parent-focused sessions, or collaboration with other caregivers or systems. We work with you as partners to create a stable, responsive environment around your child.
Exposure
Gently Facing Triggers
For many children and teens, effective trauma treatment includes carefully planned exposure to reminders of the event, always at a pace that feels safe. This does not mean re-living the trauma without support. Instead, it might involve:
- Talking or drawing about parts of the memory in small steps
- Looking at or visiting safe versions of places that have become scary
- Practicing coping skills while intentionally bringing up mild reminders
Together, we create a “bravery ladder” of small, manageable steps, teach coping tools they can use when distress rises, and celebrate progress while adjusting the plan as their confidence grows. Exposure is always collaborative and designed to help your child feel more in control—not pushed before they are ready.
Is Trauma Therapy Right for My Child?
Trauma-focused treatment can be a strong option if:
- Your child has experienced a clearly stressful or frightening event (or series of events)
- You’re noticing ongoing changes in mood, behavior, sleep, or sense of safety
- They react strongly to reminders or try hard to avoid anything that brings the event to mind
Some trauma-related concerns can be addressed in a short-term, focused course of therapy. More complex or long-standing difficulties—such as trauma layered with anxiety, depression, or ongoing stressors—may benefit from longer-term work, sometimes alongside other services like CBT-focused child therapy, sleep treatment, or psychological testing.
If you’re not sure whether trauma therapy is the best fit, we can discuss your child’s situation and recommend the right combination of services within PAC Psych’s broader Child Therapy offerings.
Getting Started with Trauma Therapy at PAC Psych
If you’re considering trauma therapy for your child or teen, the first step is to schedule a consultation. We’ll talk through your concerns, learn more about what your child has experienced and how they’re doing now, and explain how our trauma-focused approach might apply to their specific challenges. We’ll then outline a plan that may include individual trauma therapy, parent support, school collaboration, or a combination of services.
Ready to explore whether trauma therapy can help your child feel safer, calmer, and more themselves again? Contact us to schedule a consultation.