Understanding Trauma in Children and Teens

Trauma isn’t defined only by what happened, but by how a child’s mind and body continue to respond to it. Experiences that can be traumatic for young people include accidents, medical procedures or serious illness, the sudden loss of a loved one, witnessing violence, abuse or neglect, bullying, natural disasters, or growing up in a chaotic or unsafe environment.

Children often don’t have the words to describe what they’re feeling, so trauma tends to show up in their behavior, their bodies, their play, and their sleep. Younger children may return to earlier behaviors, such as bedwetting, thumb-sucking, or needing to sleep with a parent. Teens may become withdrawn, irritable, or take risks that seem out of character.

Trauma reactions can also look like other conditions. A child who can’t sit still, focus, or control their temper may be seen as having ADHD or behavior problems when they’re actually living in a state of high alert. Understanding the full picture is essential to getting the right help.

Common experiences include:

• Nightmares, trouble falling asleep, or fear of being alone at night

• Upsetting memories, or repeatedly acting out the event in play or drawings

• Becoming very upset by reminders of what happened

• Avoiding places, people, or conversations connected to the experience

• Being jumpy, easily startled, or constantly on guard

• Irritability, angry outbursts, or difficulty calming down

• Clinginess, separation anxiety, or fear of new situations

• Seeming numb, “spaced out,” or disconnected

• Stomachaches, headaches, or other physical complaints

• Difficulty concentrating or a drop in school performance

• Feelings of guilt, shame, or believing that what happened was their fault

My Approach to Trauma Treatment

Children heal best when they feel safe and supported by the adults around them. I take a comprehensive, trauma-informed, family-centered approach:

Trauma-Informed Evaluation: We’ll move at a pace that feels manageable for your child and your family. Your child will never be pushed to share more than they’re ready to, and building a sense of safety always comes first.

Therapy Collaboration: Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is the most well-studied treatment for trauma in children and teens, and it actively involves caregivers in the healing process. I often work alongside therapists who specialize in TF-CBT and other trauma-focused approaches for young people.

Medication Management: Medication doesn’t treat trauma itself, but it can help with symptoms that often come with it, such as anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, or hyperarousal, so that a child is better able to engage in therapy and daily life. When medication is appropriate, I’ll walk you through the options, start carefully, and monitor closely.

Parent and Caregiver Support: When a child goes through something difficult, the whole family is affected. I’ll help you understand your child’s reactions, respond in ways that build safety and trust, and take care of yourself along the way. Caregivers are one of the most powerful sources of healing for a child.

Understanding Trauma’s Impact: I help families make sense of how difficult experiences may be showing up in a child’s emotions, behavior, relationships, and development. Many parents and teens find it deeply relieving to understand that these reactions are a natural response to what happened, not a sign that something is wrong with them.

School Coordination: When trauma affects attention, behavior, or attendance at school, I can help you think through supports and accommodations and communicate with your child’s school when appropriate.

What to Expect

The intake for children and adolescents is completed in three parts:

Part 1: Parent Session (60 minutes)
We’ll meet without your child to talk through your concerns, your child’s developmental, medical, and school history, and your family’s goals. This also gives you space to share sensitive details privately, without your child in the room.

Part 2: Child Session (60 minutes)
I’ll meet with your child or teen to get to know them directly: how they see things, what feels hard, and what’s going well. There’s no expectation that they talk about what happened before they’re ready.

Part 3: Feedback Session (30 minutes)
About one week later, we’ll meet again to go over my impressions and talk through treatment options together.

Between sessions, I’ll review any records you share, such as report cards, prior testing, or treatment records, and, with your permission, speak with outside providers involved in your child’s care.

Healing from trauma takes time. The goal isn’t to erase what happened, but to help your child feel safe again, make sense of their experience, and return to the things that help them grow: play, learning, friendships, and connection.

Who I Work With

I work with children, adolescents, and their families in New York City who have been affected by a wide range of difficult experiences, whether recent or from earlier in life. I understand how trauma can affect development, attachment, and a child’s ability to trust, and I’m here to help your family move toward healing.

Getting Started

Reaching out for help after something difficult takes courage. With the right support, children are remarkably resilient, and treatment can help your child feel safe, connected, and like themselves again.

If your child is in immediate danger, call 911. If your child is in crisis or expressing thoughts of self-harm, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.