At the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley, we offer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Our counseling approach with children with PTSD is practical, goal-oriented, compassionate, and scientifically-based while focusing on your child’s individual needs. If you think your child may be experiencing post traumatic stress disorder, you can learn more about PTSD and our treatment approach below.

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children?

Children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may have intense fear and anxiety, become emotionally numb or easily irritable, or avoid places, people, or activities after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or life-threatening event. Not every child who experiences or hears about a traumatic event will develop PTSD. It is normal to be fearful, sad, or apprehensive after such events, and many children will recover from these feelings in a short time.

Children most at risk for PTSD are those who directly witnessed a traumatic event, who suffered directly (such as the injury or death of a parent), had mental health problems before the event, and who lack a strong support network. Violence at home also increases a child’s risk of developing PTSD after a traumatic event. If your child’s symptoms persist for more than a month after the event, he/she may be experiencing PTSD and should be assessed by mental health professional.

Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children

PTSD includes three main categories of symptoms:

• Reliving the trauma in a way that interferes with day-to-day activities, such as disturbing dreams, flashbacks, recurrent and intrusive memories, or reenacting the trauma. In children, their imaginary play may reenact or resemble aspects of the trauma.
• Avoidance of feelings, objects or people that remind them of the trauma. Children also may feel detached or numb and withdraw from friends, family and social activities. They may have a difficult time connecting with peers and may seem less interested in activities they used to find fun and enjoyable.
• Other anxiety symptoms including exaggerated startle response, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, hypervigilance, and irritability or anger outbursts.

Cognitive Behavioral Model of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for Children

Children who have experienced a trauma may have feelings of anger, fear and despair that can be reactivated when they are reminded of a traumatic event. For example, a child who witnessed a parent gettimg injured may be fearful when separated from that parent or want to avoid the place/situation where the injury occurred. Experiencing a trauma may also challenge your child’s beliefs that the world is basically safe and that others are trustworthy. Your child may overestimate the probability of experiencing another traumatic event, leading to more avoidance and anxiety.

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for Children with PTSD

TF-CBT is an evidence based and collaborative approach that includes the whole family and helps your child confront his/her fears and learn to cope with triggers, intrusive memories, and anxiety. You and your child will receive education about trauma and how PTSD develops. Social support is very important for children who have experienced trauma, so you and your family will learn effective ways of responding to your child’s symptoms and how to support him/her throughout treatment. Your child will learn relaxation strategies and develop coping skills for managing the difficult emotions that will come up throughout treatment. Cognitive strategies will be used to help your child modify unhelpful and mistaken beliefs about the trauma (e.g. belief that the trauma was their fault or belief that the trauma is likely to occur again). Your child will also have the opportunity to create a narrative of the traumatic experience so he/she can desensitize to the traumatic images and memories and gain perspective on the trauma, as well as attribute new meaning to the trauma.

Common Goals of Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Children

• Eliminate re-experiencing symptoms such as dreams, intrusive memories, and repetitive play.
• Resume normal activities, including attending school and spending time with family and friends.
• Talk with trusted family and friends about the trauma and ask for help when sad or overwhelmed.
• Decrease anxiety/arousal symptoms through the development of coping strategies.

Getting Help for Your Child with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

It is important for your child to know that it is okay to talk about the trauma and that you are available to listen. Some parents find it helpful to process their own feelings of anger, guilt, and frustration with a therapist so they are able to be supportive and present for their child. Help your child understand that the trauma was not their fault and that they are safe now. After talking with your child, it may be time to get some professional help.

The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley (San Jose/Los Gatos) specializes in anxiety and OCD therapy and counseling for children. Click to send an email for more information on how we can help your child overcome his/her anxiety-related problems.

Silicon Valley and Sacramento Valley Communities We Serve

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley offers evidence-based therapy for Child Anxiety and Child OCD near the following Silicon Valley/San Jose communities:

San Jose Therapy Counseling • Saratoga Therapy Counseling • Los Gatos Therapy Counseling • Monte Sereno Therapy Counseling • Cupertino Therapy Counseling • Campbell Therapy Counseling • Mountain View Therapy Counseling • Los Altos Therapy Counseling • Sunnyvale Therapy Counseling • Santa Clara Therapy Counseling

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Sacramento Valley offers evidence-based therapy for Child Anxiety and Child OCD near the following Sacramento Valley and Sierra communities:

Sacramento Therapy Counseling • Roseville Therapy Counseling • Rocklin Therapy Counseling • Granite Bay Therapy Counseling • Lincoln Therapy Counseling • Folsom Therapy Counseling • Citrus Heights Therapy Counseling •  El Dorado Hills Therapy Counseling • Loomis Therapy Counseling • Grass Valley Therapy Counseling  • Auburn Therapy Counseling

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