Being a teen can be challenging on an average day. Teens cope with new pressures and decisions that come with growing up, trying to navigate them on their own. But what if they have experienced a childhood trauma? What if that past experience makes it more difficult to manage these changes?
Childhood trauma doesn’t just stop being relevant once you hit adolescence. The trauma still affects their thoughts, emotions, and behavior even years later. Its lasting impact can be carried into adulthood if not addressed or processed. That’s where EMDR comes in.
Understanding Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma is any event that is dangerous, threatening or scary to a child and causes significant emotional distress and disruption in a child’s life. Traumatic experiences can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect. They can also involve witnessing domestic violence or substance abuse within the family, natural disasters, or the sudden loss of a loved one. These traumatic events can have a profound impact on a child’s development and well-being.
A child who has experienced or witnessed such an event can feel unsafe, scared, and helpless. It can also affect their ability to form healthy attachments and trust others, leading to difficulties in relationships later on. For example, if a child experiences emotional abuse from a caretaker, they may have difficulty trusting and opening up to others in the future.
The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Teens
As teens begin to form their identities and navigate relationships, childhood trauma can greatly impact their emotional and psychological well-being. Teens can carry the unprocessed emotions and beliefs from their traumatic experiences into their teenage years. This can cause difficulties in coping with everyday stressors. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, nearly 35 million children in the U.S. have experienced one or more types of childhood trauma (Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, 2013).
The trauma can manifest in various ways, such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Teens may also exhibit behavioral issues like anger outbursts or rebellious behavior as a way to cope with their past trauma. These can not only affect the teen’s academic performance and social relationships but also put them at risk for developing long-term mental health conditions. A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that adolescents who had experienced childhood trauma were significantly more likely to have poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety (Bethell, Newacheck, Hawes, & Halfon, 2014).
How Can EMDR Help?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is an evidence-based treatment that has been proven effective in treating childhood trauma. It works to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories and experiences, reducing their intensity and impact on present-day functioning. For instance, if your teen was in a traumatic car accident, the loud sounds of cars or sirens may trigger intense fear and panic attacks. EMDR therapy can help reduce these triggers’ emotional charge, making it easier for your teen to cope with similar situations.
EMDR is an 8-stage, comprehensive therapy approach. One that includes assessing the teen’s current symptoms and identifying the target memories to work on. During the reprocessing phase, your therapist will guide your teen through sets of bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or sounds). All while they are asked to focus on specific aspects of the traumatic memory. This repetitive motion stimulates both sides of the brain and helps process and store the memory in a more adaptive way.
What Makes EMDR Different?
EMDR therapy is different from traditional talk therapy. It focuses on processing and reprocessing traumatic experiences rather than just talking about them. For instance, it helps your teen see their traumatic memories in a new light, allowing them to reframe any of their negative beliefs or emotions attached to them. They’ll see it from a teen’s point-of-view, rather than that of a child.
Additionally, EMDR therapy can help your teen build positive coping skills and develop healthier ways to manage their emotions. Their EMDR therapist will support them in learning how to regulate their emotions. But also learn how to change the negative thought patterns that may have resulted from the trauma.
Treatment Plans Specifically Tailored for Teens
EMDR therapy is personalized to each individual’s needs. The treatment plan for your teen will be unique, as everyone’s experiences and responses are different. Your EMDR therapist in EMDR therapy in Milton, GA will work with your teen to identify their specific triggers and challenges. They’ll also teach them practical skills to help cope with difficult emotions, thoughts, or situations.
As their parent, the EMDR therapist may also collaborate with you on how to best support your teen throughout the treatment process. This can include providing you with tools and techniques to help create a safe and supportive environment for your teen at home. Your involvement and understanding can greatly benefit your teen’s progress in therapy.
Address Your Teen’s Childhood Trauma with EMDR Therapy in Milton, GA
Don’t let your teen’s childhood trauma continue to affect their well-being and relationships. Seek support from a qualified EMDR therapist in Milton, GA. One who understands the unique challenges that come with addressing trauma in teens. With compassion and expertise, they will guide your teen towards healing and growth, helping them thrive into adulthood. At Wellview Counseling, our therapist specializes in EMDR therapy and is dedicated to helping teens overcome their past traumas. Let’s support your teen’s mental health and well-being together. If you’re ready to begin:
- Contact Wellview Counseling
- Meet with Our Therapists
- Help Your Teen Reframe Their Traumatic Experiences with EMDR Therapy in Milton, GA!
Other Therapy Services Offered at Wellview Counseling
Our therapists at Wellview Counseling understand that each individual has different needs and experiences. Your teen may benefit from a combination of therapeutic approaches to address their specific challenges. Whether it’s CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) while your teen challenges their negative beliefs or DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) when helping your teen learn healthy coping skills. Our therapists are trained in a variety of evidence-based treatments to best support your teen’s unique needs. We offer child counseling, teen counseling, family counseling, postpartum depression and anxiety counseling, trauma and PTSD treatment, therapy for those with a chronic illness, and more. Regardless of the challenge you face, our therapists are here to help. Our office is in Roswell, GA, but we also offer online therapy to anyone in Georgia. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment please feel welcome to reach out to us!
About the Author
Introducing Ashley Bobo, MSW, LCSW, who has over 20 years of experience, and specializes in providing support and guidance to individuals who have experienced childhood trauma. She has created a place where parents and teens can find the support they need to navigate the challenges of childhood trauma. Ashley understands that as a parent, you want the best for your teen. That’s why she is committed to providing personalized and effective treatment that helps teens heal, grow, and thrive. With a compassionate and evidence-based approach, Ashley will work with you and your teen to help them heal and thrive. While Ashley does not provide EMDR, we have therapists on our team who are trained in this effective therapeutic approach. Ashley and her team at Wellview Counseling are here to support you and your teen on their journey toward a healthier state of mind. Discover how Wellview Counseling can make a difference in your lives. Visit us at wellviewcounseling.com.
References
Bethell, C., Newacheck, P., Hawes, E., & Halfon, N. (2014). Adverse childhood experiences: Assessing the impact on health and school engagement and the mitigating role of resilience. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(12), 1311-1321.
Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (2013). National Survey of Children’s Health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.childhealthdata.org/learn-about-the-nsch/NSCH
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2016). Trauma-Informed Approach and Trauma-Specific Interventions. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/nctic/trauma-interventions