Help after trauma for children, teens and adults

What it can look like

Trauma can follow a single event, such as an accident, a medical emergency or a sudden loss, or come from stress that builds over time. Children may not connect their symptoms to what happened, so changes in behavior are often the first sign.

• Nightmares, trouble falling asleep, or not wanting to sleep alone
• Being easily startled, on edge, or quick to anger
• Avoiding places, people or reminders of what happened
• Upsetting memories that intrude, or replaying the event in play
• Pulling away from friends and family, or seeming numb
• New trouble with school, concentration, or separation from parents

How I approach it

I start with a careful evaluation, at a pace that feels safe. You don't have to tell the whole story in the first visit. I look at how symptoms affect sleep, mood, school, work and relationships, and at what helps the person feel steady.

Trauma-focused therapy is the core of treatment, and I coordinate closely with a therapist who specializes in it. If your child doesn't have one yet, I can help you find one. In my visits, I focus on understanding trauma reactions, building coping and calming skills, and managing symptoms so that therapy can do its work.

Medication can help with symptoms that get in the way of recovery, such as nightmares and poor sleep, anxiety, or low mood. When I recommend it, I explain why and how we will track whether it is helping.

Supporting parents

Children recover best when the adults around them feel equipped. I help parents understand their child's reactions and respond in ways that restore a sense of safety at home.