Trauma is any experience or event that is perceived to have felt unsafe or threatening. Trauma comes in all forms and can happen at any time in one’s life, including childhood and adolescence.
Because children are still growing, developing, and learning about life during these developmental stages, traumatic experiences in childhood and adolescence can have a significant impact on their academic and social development, as well as their day-to-day functioning.
Many children and teens who have experienced trauma develop unwanted symptoms, including:
- Fearfulness
- Irritability
- Flashbacks
- Difficulty sleeping
- Depressed mood, and
- Anxiety
If your child has experienced a trauma, he or she may experience traumatic memories or reminders of the event that pop up at unexpected moments and interfere with life at home, school, and in their friendships. You may notice that your child is struggling to get through the day and is in need of assistance to cope with their traumatic experiences.
Hello! My name is Rachel Thyberg and I am a certified Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapist who is here to help your child to work through this past trauma and to lead to a thriving and fulfilling life. If you have a child who has experienced trauma and you have noticed changes in their behaviors, emotions, or their ability to just get through the day, Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) may be the right option to help your child to reduce these symptoms and to improve their quality of life.
TF-CBT is an evidenced based treatment that helps children and teens address trauma and improve the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. TF-CBT is designed for those who have experienced trauma to develop skills to help to overcome the emotional and behavioral challenges experienced following the trauma.
In TF-CBT, you and your child will:
- Be offered a safe and comfortable environment that allows for your child to process thoughts and feelings related to the trauma on their timeline in a way that can lead to positive change
- Gain education about trauma, including how trauma impacts the body and brain
- Develop skills for coping with and managing the unwanted symptoms associated with the traumatic experience, and
- Learn ways to understand and alter thoughts and behaviors related to the traumatic experience and replace them with more appropriate thoughts and behaviors to improve day-to-day functioning
When your child is ready, he or she will process through the trauma with me in a way that is gradual and most comfortable for them. After a traumatic experience, children and teens may try to avoid anything that reminds them of their trauma.
As a TF-CBT trained therapist, I will help your child to become desensitized to their trauma reminder(s) to assist them in experiencing less distress and fear in their day-to-day life. The result will be a child who is better able to focus on the present moments, while reflecting upon all of the skills learned to help them achieve goals they have set for the future.
Your child is a survivor of their trauma and TF-CBT is a way to help them develop the skills needed to lead a successful and thriving future. I am here to help you and your child to get started on that journey.
I look forward to talking with you more about TF-CBT and how it can be beneficial for your child. If you are ready to get your child or adolescent started with TF-CBT, call our office at (605) 275-0009 to schedule an appointment.