Trauma Therapy & PTSD Treatment for Children
“Bedtime is difficult. My child wakes up many nights and can’t go back to sleep because of the nightmares.”
“Ever since we moved and my child changed schools, she has been struggling with paying attention. I’m really worried about her.”
“I am worried about foster kids. They have been through so much in their short lives. I want them to feel better about themselves after what happened.”
Signs of Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms in Children
While not all children will show the effects of trauma in the same way, here are a few examples of symptoms you may see in your child:
Reliving the event over and over in thought or in play
Nightmares and sleep problems
Easily distracted or problems with concentration
Becoming very upset when something triggers memories of the event
Poor self-esteem
Bedwetting after being potty-trained
Developmentally Inappropriate sexual behavior or questions
Intense ongoing fear or sadness
Irritability and angry outbursts
Constantly looking for possible threats, being easily startled
Acting helpless, hopeless or withdrawn
Denying that the event happened or feeling numb
Avoiding places or people associated with the event
Trauma Therapy for Children and PTSD Treatment for Children Can Help Your Child Move Forward in a Healthy Way.
You see your child struggling to get through the day. Oftentimes, as a parent, it can be very scary to see you child self-harm, withdraw within himself or repeatedly get scared of doing things that, in the past, he was very comfortable doing.
The great news is that we are here to help you and your child. We have trauma therapists on staff who have been training in several different approaches of treating trauma. Nothing is more important than seeing you child happy in their life, especially when they’ve experienced trauma. If you can’t make it to our two counseling clinics, then consider online trauma therapy in Kansas to help your child move forward from what happened to them.
Trauma Therapy & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment for Bullying
Bullying is as old as time. For decades, children and adolescents have had to deal with bullies and the effects of bullying on their mental health. Research shows that persistent bullying can lead to feelings of isolation, low self esteem, depression and anxiety. In some situations, these feelings can also lead to suicide attempts or suicide completions.
Today, technology adds an added layer to the danger of bullying. In decades past, bullying ended with the school day. However, with today’s technology bullying can continue through phones and tablets. Research shows, that cyberbullying affects approximately 15% of students aged 12-18. Our children need to be able to process the feelings that come from these traumatic events.
Our caring therapists use age-appropriate therapy approaches to help your child process her thoughts and feelings that affect her after being bullied. After completing treatment, you will feel less stressed knowing your child can handle these tough situations with success.
Trauma Therapy & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment for Physical, Emotional, Sexual Abuse and Neglect
Childhood abuse and neglect is extremely painful. Abuse and neglect can follow children into adulthood unless they get the help they need to reprocess the abuse and neglect. It is known that children will take the narrative of their abuser unless a healthy adult intervenes and changes that narrative. Early intervention is important to prevent coping by using drugs, alcohol, overeating, gambling, engaging in risky sexual behaviors, etc.
We are here for you, your child and family to help get you on the path to health. Our therapists will help you, your child and your family heal from the impacts of abuse and neglect. We will help your child be able to trust adults again. In fact, we can help your child see herself in a positive way instead of a negative way. Overall, this will help set your child up for a successful future.
The JS Therapy Group Approach to Trauma Therapy for Children and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment for Children
Our past is present. Just because it may seem like your child has forgotten about something bad that happened does not mean he was not impacted that that bad thing. Our therapists use approaches that are supported by many research studies and are shown to help you heal from the trauma.
Our approaches to PTSD treatment for children in Overland Park, KS and Leavenworth, KS include Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Family Therapy. You can read more about these approaches in the next sections.
Also, we provide services to all individuals, couples and families without discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status.
Play Therapy for Childhood Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Play therapy is not only a useful approach to working with trauma therapy and PTSD treatment for children but, it is essential when working with children and trauma. Children do not have the developmental ability to use talk therapy like adults. Play is the language of children and we need to use play to help children who have experienced trauma.
Also, trauma is not often stored in a verbal format, but trauma is stored in sensory networks in the brain. So, using talk to reprocess a trauma is like putting oil in the gas tank. You may get a few miles down the road but you will not get to your destination.
Our child and trauma therapists in Overland Park, KS and Leavenworth, KS use play therapy in Kansas to help children to reprocess the trauma and heal so they can get back to doing what they do best…being a kid!
Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) Can Help with Childhood Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma-Focused CBT is supported by research that shows this approach helps children process negative affects of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. When children meet with one of our trauma therapists in Overland Park, KS or Leavenworth, KS, they will process the traumatic memories. Then, they will work toward changing negative thoughts and negative behaviors that result from the trauma.
In addition, children learn very important coping strategies that will help them for the rest of their lives.
Trauma-Focused CBT also includes the parent or caregiver in the treatment plan. It’s important to include parents so children have a “stronger, wiser other” to help them regulate emotions, use coping strategies and to turn to for comfort when needed.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
EMDR was proven to be effective in reducing symptoms from traumatic life experiences. The use of trauma therapy and PTSD treatment for children can be very affective as well. Our trauma therapists use back and forth eye movements, or other types of bilateral stimulation, to process traumatic memories and disturbing emotions. First, we target a disturbing memory. Then, we ask the client to hold in mind different aspects of the memory as we help the client do eye movements. As the processing occurs, the original disturbing memories and emotions are desensitized. This means, they won’t affect your child in such a painful way.
EMDR therapy in Leavenworth, KS, Overland Park, KS, and Liberty, MO locations can assist your child in processing traumatic events faster and more effectively than traditional talk therapy. After the memory has been desensitized, we help your child learn new ways to think about the trauma and separate unwanted body sensations like PTSD symptoms from the traumatic memories.
Studies show that secure connections with our loved ones help us heal from past traumas and help us cope better with current and future life challenges. If your child has had a traumatic life experience, we would be happy to talk with you about how EMDR could help you and your family.
Family Therapy Can Help with Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder does not only impact the person or people who experienced the trauma. Trauma affects the whole family. Therefore, in many situations the whole family needs to receive treatment in addition to the person or people who experienced the trauma. We can effectively do trauma therapy and PTSD treatment for children while incorporating family therapy in Leavenworth, KS, Overland Park, KS, or Liberty, MO. We can even do online family therapy in Kansas and online trauma therapy in Kansas if that works better.
For children specifically, the family needs to be a source of support. Participating in family therapy in Kansas can be a show of support for your child. It sends the message that she does not need to go through this alone and that you, her parent, are with her.
At times, the family can unknowingly engage in a negative pattern of behavior that may reinforce the negative story your child has about herself. Going through treatment in family therapy in Overland Park, KS or Leavenworth, KS can help to identify those negative patterns and change them thereby changing the story.
Our therapists are trained in systems theory which means we can help families with these patterns. We see your family, as a whole, as a client in addition to each person to attends session. We are here to help your family get back on track so you can get back to the things that matter the most, like making happy memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life!
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) for Parents and Caregivers
Hey parents and caregivers! Your mental health is important too! Did you know that research has identified 10 adverse childhood experiences that, when experienced as a child, can have long-lasting impacts on health, risky behaviors and life potential. The 10 adverse childhood experiences include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, mental health struggles in the home, divorce of parents, if your mother treated you with violence, substance abuse in the home and if a relative is/was incarcerated.
If you have experienced any of these adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), let us help you. We can help you work through these traumas in person or through online therapy in Kansas, so you are the strongest parent you can be for your child. Get in touch today for online trauma therapy in Kansas.
Begin Trauma Therapy for Children and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment for Children in Leavenworth, KS, Overland Park, KS and Liberty, MO
Your child doesn’t have to continue to feel scared. We can help you, your child and your family get back to enjoying life and making happy memories. Our caring therapists specialize in helping children with PTSD treatment for children in Overland Park, KS, Leavenworth, KS, or Liberty, MO. To start counseling in Overland Park, KS and Leavenworth, KS, follow these simple steps:
Complete the form below to contact JS Therapy Group.
Meet with one of our caring therapists
Get back to making memories you’ll have for the rest of your life!
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Other Counseling Services at JS Therapy Group
Trauma therapy for children and PTSD treatment for children are not the only services we offer in our Leavenworth and Overland Park counseling centers. Other mental health services JS Therapy Group provides include anxiety treatment, therapy for children and play therapy, trauma and PTSD treatment, addictions counseling, family therapy, couple and marriage counseling and premarital counseling. We also offer professional consultations and supervision opportunities. If you can’t make it to see one of our therapists for in-person counseling, consider online therapy in Kansas to meet your mental health needs. Contact us to get started or click on one of the links to learn more.