A Holistic Healing Approach
Grant Them Recognition
Teens who have faced trauma yearn for recognition and attention, and it’s vital to acknowledge that their behaviors have profound meaning. While some may label such actions as mere “attention-seeking,” it’s essential to grasp that every behavior serves a purpose. For traumatized teens, the need for recognition goes beyond the ordinary – it’s a desperate plea for validation and acknowledgment. Feeling ignored is experienced as emotionally painful. These experiences that may be able to be tolerated by a child with a typical upbringing will intensify a traumatized teen’s struggles, creating a feeling of immense loneliness. Offering recognition for their achievements, efforts, and unique qualities becomes a powerful catalyst for healing.
Hang In There
In the stormy seas of emotional turmoil, traumatized teens need you to be a steadfast lighthouse. Despite their attempts to push boundaries and test limits, your unwavering presence serves as the grounding force they desperately require. Recognize that their defiance isn’t a severance of ties but a plea for guidance, love, and stability. Through their behavior, they are asking if they are worth it, if they are loveable and if they are likeable. Acknowledging your limitations is crucial. Building a support team around them ensures you do not burn out in this process and their needs are met.This includes seeking professional help from therapists specializing in trauma treatment.
Exercise Patience:
Traumatized teens often exhibit challenging behavior that demands extraordinary patience. Nurturing and encouragement become essential, especially considering the impact of early abuse. Dismissing their discomfort perpetuates a damaging self-concept that they are unworthy of love and attention. Some may manifest emotional distress in physical complaints, seeking tangible solutions for intangible pain. Patience during these moments, coupled with support, encouragement, and physical reassurance, helps dismantle the belief that they are undeserving. Professional therapy, such as trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), can be immensely beneficial in addressing and healing deep-seated traumas.
Encourage Self-Exploration
Every teen, traumatized or not, deserves the opportunity to explore their identity. For those who have undergone trauma, this process becomes a foundational aspect of their healing. Engage them in activities that promote self-expression – reading, writing, art, or sports. Encourage them to discover their strengths, likes, and dislikes. This individualistic exploration lays the foundation for their self-concept, allowing them to form a distinct identity separate from their traumatic experiences. Art therapy, journaling, and mindfulness practices can complement professional therapeutic interventions.
In Summary
Traumatized teenagers face unique challenges in developing resilience, self-worth, and the ability to take risks. Their past experiences may have ingrained the belief that mistakes result in pain, perceived weakness, or being taken advantage of. To counteract this, they require an amplified dose of your grit, strength, and confidence. Recognizing their achievements, remaining a steadfast presence, and fostering self-exploration collectively contribute to their healing journey. Integrating professional trauma treatment further ensures a comprehensive and tailored approach to their recovery.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Children. Updated March 22, 2021.
- Barnett E, Hamblen J. PTSD in Children and Adolescents. National Center for PTSD. Updated September 16, 2019.
- Ganz D, Sher L. Suicidal behavior in adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder. Minerva Pediatrics. 2010;62(4):363-70.
- American Psychological Association. The Effects of Trauma Do Not Have to Last a Lifetime. Updated January 16, 2004.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Children. Updated March 22, 2021.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Understanding Child Trauma. Updated October 8, 2021.
