Teenagers today face many roadblocks on their path toward adulthood. In addition to the normal stresses of growing up, adolescents may face traumas including bullying, abuse, neglect, violence, and the death of loved ones. Beyond this, today’s teens also face unique hurdles such as dealing with social media bullying, the tragic threat of mass shootings, and ongoing stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given all this, it’s easy to see why some teens face mental health concerns and could benefit from a trauma therapy program.
Fortunately, many teen mental health treatment centers offer services to address adolescents’ particular challenges and developmental stages. At Imagine Fort Collins, we’re able to offer top-quality support and recovery services to teens living with trauma, and we’re here to answer your questions if your child could benefit from these offerings. Please reach out to us online or call 888.291.2309.
Signs of Trauma in Teens
It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate normal teenage angst from actual mental health concerns, especially if you are not sure what traumas your child may have dealt with outside the home. Before deciding to place your child in a trauma therapy program—or any mental health program for youth—it’s important to consult with a licensed doctor and/or psychologist specializing in child psychology. Here are a few signs that such a conversation may be a good idea:
- Your teen is very restless and unable to focus or feel calm.
- Activities and relationships that used to bring your teen joy, no longer hold their attention.
- Your teen struggles excessively with decision-making.
- Sleep or dietary habits have shifted significantly.
- Drug or alcohol abuse is occurring.
- You or your child’s teachers have noticed a sudden drop in scholastic investment.
- You know or suspect your teen is engaging in self-harm, such as cutting; subtle signs may include suddenly switching to long-sleeved shirts or otherwise concealing parts of the body where evidence of self-harm may be present.
- Your teen talks about death or suicide frequently.
Benefits of Trauma Therapy Programs
The benefits of trauma counseling programs for teens can be far-reaching. This form of therapy can offer benefits including:
- Healthy coping skills to reduce the risk of relapse
- Heightened quality of life
- Education about mental wellness and skill-building for self-care and symptom management
In trauma therapy programs, teens may work to increase their internal coping skills, which include cognitive and emotional reasoning. They can also develop external coping skills which give them the situational awareness to successfully reenter their everyday lives following treatment. Finally, mindfulness workshops can offer teens the profound skill of remaining in the moment without losing control. This capacity is helpful in general, but especially supportive when dealing with trauma, which can often lead to repression or dissociation.
Trauma counseling may also offer teens their best chance of recovery during periods of crisis. If your child is in danger of self-harm or harming others, please consider this option seriously. Licensed care practitioners are here to help bring your teen back into a state of safety and health.
Begin Recovery Today at Imagine Fort Collins
At Imagine Fort Collins, we offer teen mental health and substance use disorder treatment services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, teen relationship counseling, and trauma counseling. If you believe your child could benefit from a teen trauma treatment center or one of our other top-rated programs, don’t hesitate to reach out. Send us a message online or call 888.291.2309 to talk to a member of our team. With flexible scheduling options, an experienced, dedicated team, and a commitment to helping our patients heal, Imagine Fort Collins is here to offer hope.