teen trauma
COUNSELLING SUPPORT IN EDMONTON & SHERWOOD PARK
A traumatic experience is any incredibly stressful event that causes a threat to our safety, this can be life threatening, however any event that leaves an individual feeling overwhelmed and isolated can be traumatic. As a result, your teen might experience heightened emotional, physiological and physical distress that can upset their ability to function normally in every day life. Some common reactions to trauma might include strong feelings of sadness, anger or guilt, nightmares, flashbacks, intense anxiety and difficulties with memory and concentration.
Each teen may react differently to trauma. A traumatic reaction may become unhealthy if the behaviour/mood is prolonged and beginning to affect your child’s life. While healing from trauma your teen can learn tools to manage distressing emotions, regain healthy ways of expressing feelings and communicate challenging thoughts
Examples of trauma may include:
Family divorce or separation
Loss of a loved one
Recent surgery
Physical assault
Sexual assault
Bullying
Family violence
Car accident
Breakup from a significant relationship
Our trauma therapists have extensive training in evidence based trauma modalities, including Somatic Experiencing in order to help process and heal from your trauma.
When a teen has gone through something overwhelming, it can affect how they see themselves, how they relate to others, and how they move through the world. Counselling offers a steady, grounding place where they can begin to untangle the confusion and intense emotions that trauma often leaves behind. With gentle guidance, your teen can learn to recognize their body’s stress signals, understand why certain reactions show up, and find healthier ways to manage moments that feel too big or too heavy.
Over time, therapy can help your teen rebuild a sense of stability and reconnect with parts of life that may have felt out of reach. They can explore their strengths, rediscover what brings them comfort or joy, and develop coping strategies that support them in school, at home, and in their relationships. Trauma may change the way a teen navigates life for a while, but with the right support, they can heal, grow, and step forward with greater confidence and emotional resilience.
Common responses to trauma
Trauma can affect teens in many different ways. There is no “right” or “wrong” response to a traumatic experience—each teen’s nervous system reacts in its own way to try to stay safe. Some responses appear immediately, while others may emerge weeks or even months later. Many trauma responses are often misunderstood as behavioral problems, moodiness, or defiance, when they are actually signs that a teen is overwhelmed and trying to cope.
Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected
Persistent sadness, anxiety, or fear
Irritability, anger, or sudden mood changes
Withdrawal from friends and family
Avoidance of people, places, or reminders of the trauma
Fatigue or low energy
Difficulty concentrating or remembering
Negative self-beliefs, shame, guilt, or self-blame
Feeling unsafe even when no immediate danger is present
Physical complaints such as headaches or stomachaches
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Risk-taking, impulsive, or self-protective behaviors
Trauma can change how teens see themselves, others, and the world, but it does not define who they are or who they will become. With the right support, teens can learn to understand their trauma responses, feel safer in their bodies, and regain a sense of control and connection. Trauma-informed counselling provides a supportive space for teens to process difficult experiences, build coping skills, and begin healing at their own pace. Your teen does not have to carry the impact of trauma alone—help and hope are available.
Thrive Trauma THERaPIsts Edmonton & Sherwood Park
