Trauma treatment techniques are not a one-size-fits-all option. While there are principles that apply universally to trauma treatment, the reality is that you may need to explore several different treatment techniques before landing on the one that serves your teenager well. Often, effective treatment ends up involving multiple treatment methods to address trauma effectively.
Pharmacotherapy
Pharmacotherapy uses medication to stop trauma reactions. For example, if someone is dealing with intrusive thoughts or hyper-arousal because of trauma, medications can calm this reaction. Medication does not heal the trauma, but it does make the reaction more manageable. It can work alongside other therapies to help keep extreme symptoms at bay.
Behavior Therapy
The most common type of behavioral therapy used in trauma treatment is exposure therapy. This involves gradual exposure to the things the person is afraid of, allowing them to face their fears head-on in a safe, controlled manner, so they are able to realize that the outcome they fear is not likely to happen. This therapy can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in trauma survivors. It can also help improve trauma memory problems, and it is a highly effective way to treat PTSD.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, helps the individual change their incorrect thoughts to improve their ability to manage trauma, anxiety, and stress. It can teach the patient how to improve their normal reactions to trauma using techniques like breathing, identifying and replacing thoughts, or experiencing exposure therapy.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a treatment that involves eye movements and auditory processing to reduce trauma. It instructs the patient to follow a light or listen to sounds while thinking about a traumatic event. Though this treatment may feel unconventional, research shows that it is highly effective at treating trauma.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic trauma therapy seeks to identify the stage of traumatic response where the person is stuck. Once the therapist finds that stage, they can focus on helping the person move past that point, giving them the tools to allow their body to integrate and process the traumatic event. It also focuses on looking at the unconscious motivation behind the traumatic response you experience.
Group Therapy
Therapy groups specific to trauma survivors can be a great way to heal after a traumatic event. A trauma survivor group provides a place to tell a trauma story with other people who understand.
Educational groups help trauma survivors understand what they are facing. Some groups focus on self-care and coping skills, which can be vital in the beginning stages of a trauma recovery program. Group therapy brings together a group of peers, usually under the leadership of a therapist, to talk about what they have gone through.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to help someone address the emotions they face due to trauma. Often, in a hypnotic state, a person is able to address feelings and emotions that they have trouble addressing when fully aware.