When a teenager experiences trauma, they may struggle to deal with their feelings afterward. This may present challenges to the teens, their parents and siblings, friends, and others. Trauma may arise from abuse, neglect, and catastrophic events. Early intervention can be critical, so you should understand the available options for trauma treatment for teens.

Therapy

A teenager can talk with a trained professional about their experiences and feelings in therapy sessions. Some people benefit more from one-on-one sessions with counselors, and others may benefit from a trauma treatment program for teens that includes a group. Likewise, there are many therapy options, including talk, experiential, cognitive behavioral, and EMDR.

Trauma treatment for teenagers should include a discussion of which options might work best for a particular person. You may also want to explore specific therapy types before selecting one. The goal of therapy is to give a teenager a safe space to connect with their feelings and work through their emotions.

Medication

Medication may also be an option for teens who've experienced trauma. Especially if the teen is struggling to control certain emotions, a pharmaceutical intervention may help them proceed with other forms of treatment. For example, a teen might experience anxiety and depression following a traumatic event. Bear in mind that medication should only be used with the support of a doctor.

Activity

Some folks cope with trauma best by getting exercise or engaging in specific activities. Doing work, playing sports, and exercising can all relieve stress, anxiety, and depression by activating the body's natural mood-changing chemicals. Similarly, activities can provide focus, and this often curbs ideation about traumatic events. 

Nutrition and Sleep

A trauma treatment program for teenagers will often emphasize the benefits of nutrition, self-care, and sleep. Dietary issues can aggravate emotional states, leaving a person essentially fighting with their body. A lack of sleep also can limit the body's restorative capacity.

Self-Care

Meditation, relaxation, and stress management are all self-care tools that often serve as trauma treatment for teens. Young people frequently struggle to self-regulate, and learning self-care can help them handle emotional shifts on their own terms. However, self-care tends to require training. Working with a professional to develop a self-care regimen can help a teenager build tools that will not only address trauma but help them for a lifetime.

Conclusion

The are many forms of trauma treatment for teenagers. It is wise to explore the available options and consider combinations. Keep working through the situation supportively and see how a teen clicks with certain options.