Trauma Therapy In Philadelphia, PA
What is trauma?
If you are a parent or guardian of a child who has dealt with trauma, you may find yourself feeling helpless. It can feel impossible when it comes to knowing what they may need to process the trauma and be in a better place.
Some may be unsure if their kid or family have experienced a traumatic event. Or, they may not realize what they went through is actually considered trauma. A traumatic experience is when someone experiences something very distressing or threatening. After the event, it still continues to affect their lives.
One way of understanding trauma is to break it down into two different categories. Clinicians refer to these as “Big T” Trauma and “little t” trauma. This is not meant to minimize anybody’s experiences. Instead, this is to help people understand that someone does not need to experience something major for it to be considered traumatic.
What’s the difference between “Big T” and “Little T” trauma?
“Big T” Trauma is what most people think of when they imagine a traumatic event. This may be war, a loss, assault, etc, and is the more major trauma. It is defined as when someone personally experiences the distressing event or feels their life is being threatened.
“Little t” trauma is the trauma that may often get missed. This may be emotional abuse, divorce, instability/constant relocation, etc. This form of trauma often falls through the cracks because the responses are rarely as severe. But, it can still have an impact if untreated.
Examples of Big T Trauma For Kids And Teens:
War
Natural disasters
Physical abuse, assault, or neglect
Racial trauma
Serious accidents
Domestic violence
Witnessing death
Crime victimization
Examples Of little t trauma For Kids And Teens:
Instability in the home
Divorce
Parenting struggles
Emotional abuse
Bullying
Financial/food insecurity
Abrupt relocation
Covid
Signs Your Child Or Teen May Need Trauma Therapy Following A Traumatic Incident:
They have been extra fearful, anxious, or nervous
Avoidance of social situations
Avoidance of situations that remind them of their trauma
They are lashing out over small things
Seeming more irritable than usual or are having mood swings
Expressing difficulties with calming themselves down or self-soothing
They seem depressed
They are struggling in school
Feeling sad or hopeless
They are disconnecting from their peers or seem withdrawn
They are having trouble connecting socially
Expressing feeling shame, guilt, or self-blame
Change in appetite and sleep habits
Nightmares
Our therapists at Amel Counseling & Consulting Can Help
Our team has worked with countless children and adolescents. So, we know the unique ways in which younger people show they need help. We know how devastating trauma can be to an individual and their family. We also know that you, as a parent or guardian, want to make the lingering pain of trauma disappear. But, that it doesn’t quite work like that, and it takes work like anything else. Don’t worry, our clinicians are here for you. We are happy to help guide your family or child through this time and reach a better place.
The Amel Approach to Trauma therapy in Philadelphia, pa
We use a variety of modalities to help families, kids, and teens accept, process, and start to heal from their trauma. This includes:
Group Therapy
Family Therapy
Every client needs to start somewhere when they seek trauma therapy. They may need to understand and accept that what they went through was trauma. They may need to start processing the entire experience as one cohesive story and gain control over it by making it theirs. Or, the family may need to sit down and figure out where to go from here as a unit.
Their kid or teen learn they may need to gain support from peers who have had similar experiences. Or, maybe they need to sit with somebody and take things more slowly using play therapy. The beauty of using different approaches is that our therapists can determine what your child actually needs.
Understand that whatever it is that you may need, a trauma therapist in Philadelphia, PA is ready and willing to work with you. Connecting with a trauma therapist from our team can help you throughout the healing process.
So, What Might Be Holding You Back From Starting child trauma therapy in Philadelphia, PA?
Some of the common barriers preventing people from bringing their child to therapy are time, shame, and cooperation from the prospective client.
If you are struggling to find the time to bring your child or teen to therapy, Amel Counseling & Consulting luckily offers online therapy.
You may also be feeling a level of shame about beginning counseling for your family or child. You may feel like this means you have failed as a parent. But, I’m here to tell you that it’s quite the opposite! Seeking trauma therapy because you see that your child or family needs extra support after a traumatic event is very insightful and good parenting. Think of it like a physical injury: you would not hold off on seeing a doctor or specialist for that!
Begin Trauma Therapy in Philadelphia, PA
Has your family, your child, or your teen experienced a traumatic event? Our caring therapists are experienced in supporting individuals and groups to overcome past trauma. We would be honored to support you from our Philadelphia, PA-based counseling practice. If you feel like it is time for you to begin your journey with one of our counselors, please follow these simple steps:
Meet with a caring therapist
Start overcoming past trauma today
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED WITH AMEL THERAPY
Trauma therapy isn’t the only service offered at our Philadelphia, PA-based therapy practice. We offer child therapy, play therapy, and counseling for teens, and therapy for kids and teens of color. We also offer online therapy, grief and loss therapy, and support for parents. Feel free to learn more about parent coaching and our group offerings as well. This includes the worry warriors, culturally confident teen group, and our teen girls group!