Childhood trauma is a profound emotional distress that can have lasting effects on a person’s life. It is an experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing to a child and affects their ability to cope with life’s challenges. The impact of these traumatic experiences can ripple through their lives, affecting their mental, emotional, and physical health. Knowing how to heal from childhood trauma is complicated. It almost always involves professional mental health treatment services to address the signs of trauma.
Connections Wellness Group offers a comprehensive outpatient trauma therapy program in Texas for residents of the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. Call 940.360.4245 today to learn more about our programs and services.
What Is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma comes in many forms, each leaving a unique imprint on the child’s life. Some common sources of childhood trauma include:
- Physical abuse – This involves intentional harm to a child, such as hitting, shaking, or burning. An example could be a child being physically punished by a parent or guardian in a violent manner.
- Sexual abuse – This is any form of sexual exploitation of a child. For instance, a child being forced into inappropriate sexual activities by an adult.
- Emotional abuse – This type of trauma involves persistent emotional mistreatment, like constant criticism, humiliation, or rejection. An example might be a child who is constantly belittled and made to feel worthless by family members.
- Neglect –This includes failure to provide for a child’s basic needs. An example could be a child who lacks proper nutrition, hygiene, or medical care because the parents or caregivers are unresponsive to their needs.
- Witnessing domestic violence – This involves a child seeing or hearing abusive behaviors between adults in their home. For example, a child witnessing a parent being physically or emotionally abused by their partner.
Unfortunately, in many cases, multiple forms of trauma may be present in a child’s life, which only compounds the behavioral health issues they experience.
Signs of Trauma in Children
Children who have experienced trauma may exhibit various symptoms as they grow. In many cases, children exhibiting signs of trauma may:
- Struggle with trust issues
- Have difficulty forming relationships
- Display aggressive behavior
In pre-teens and teenagers, symptoms could include:
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Poor academic performance
- Substance abuse
- Self-harming behaviors
Some estimates indicate that more than two-thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by age 16. This underscores the urgent need for professional mental health treatment for childhood trauma.
How to Heal from Childhood Trauma – Professional Mental Health Services
Professional mental health treatment plays a crucial role in helping children heal from trauma. Psychologists, therapists, and other healthcare providers work together to provide comprehensive care that includes evidence-based therapies. Some of these include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): A therapeutic approach that helps children understand and change thought patterns that lead to harmful actions or feelings.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – A specialized form of CBT that teaches skills to regulate emotions, cope with distress, and improve relationships.
- Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) – A psychotherapy that helps individuals process traumatic memories and responses.
- Group therapy – Children can benefit from connecting with others who have experienced similar trauma in a group therapy setting.
- Trauma-informed care – This is an approach to treatment that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and promotes safety, empowerment, and collaboration between providers and clients.
In addition to professional mental health treatment, support from loved ones and self-care practices may also aid in the healing process.
Contact Connections Wellness Group Today
Healing from childhood trauma is a journey that requires professional guidance and support. If you or someone you know in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area is showing signs of trauma, consider calling 940.360.4245 or contacting Connections Wellness Group online.
They have a team of dedicated professionals who are ready to help navigate the path toward healing. Remember, it’s never too late to seek help and start the healing process.