The right therapy to address childhood trauma can help create a positive outlook. It’s beneficial whether you start as a child or an adult. Types include narrative exposure, prolonged exposure, and play therapy, among others.
By age 16, more than two-thirds of children report experiencing at least one traumatic event, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The right therapy can help children, adolescents, teens, and adults find ways to heal and cope with the effects of traumatic experiences.
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A traumatic event poses a threat to a child’s life or physical safety. This includes
- frightening
- dangerous
- violent
Examples include:
- physical or sexual abuse
- psychological or emotional abuse
- neglect
- natural disasters
- homelessness
- racism
- serious accidents or life threatening illness
- violent loss of a loved one
- refugee and war experiences
- community and school violence
- witnessing or experiencing family or partner violence
- military stressors like loss, injury, or parental deployment
Remember, childhood trauma affects everyone differently.
As a child or young adult
Some common signs and symptoms to watch out for in children and teens include:
- In preschool and elementary-age children:
- separation anxiety
- becoming anxious and fearful
- difficulty sleeping and increased nightmares
- crying or acting out
- decreased appetite
- moodiness
- increased aggression and anger
- In teens:
- all of the signs mentioned above
- irritability
- withdrawal from social activities
- academic problems
- self-blame for the event (guilt and shame)
- feeling depressed
- difficulty concentrating
- eating disorders and other self-harm behaviors
- increase in behaviors like sexual activity and alcohol or drug use
As an adult
Unresolved childhood trauma can have consequences into adulthood and can take on many forms:
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- distorted self-perception
- shame, fear, guilt, self-blame, humiliation
- chronic physical pain
- anxiety disorders
- major depressive disorder
- eating disorders
- substance and alcohol use disorders
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- mental illness
- addiction
- health problems
The participants were interviewed annually as children and four times during adulthood over 22 years. Of the 1,420 participants, about:
- 40% said they experienced one traumatic childhood event
- 23% experienced two traumatic events
- 15% experienced three or more traumatic events
Other signs
- panic attacks
- fatigue
- impulsiveness
- problems with sleep
- compulsion
- chronic stress, inflammation, and other health conditions
- isolation
- suicidal ideation
Treatment for childhood trauma can help you identify triggers, develop coping strategies, and decrease the symptoms, all in a safe and supportive environment.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
CPT is a subtype of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It’s often a first choice when treating PTSD, especially when addressing the long-term effects of childhood trauma in adults.
For PTSD, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recommends treatment over 12 CPT sessions. This typically involves:
- education around PTSD thoughts and emotions followed by formal processing of the trauma
- skill development to identify and address unhelpful thinking related to traumatic events
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is an evidence-based model that combines trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral techniques, humanistic principles, and family support that rely on the participation of
It’s effective for children, teens, and adolescents who have significant emotional difficulties from a traumatic event. The typical duration is 12 to 15 sessions.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a therapy for treating trauma and PTSD. It uses repetitive eye movements and eight phases to re-pattern memories from trauma.
Narrative exposure therapy (NET)
NET is an alternative to TF-CBT for adults and children with PTSD. It’s most effective in treating people who’ve experienced multiple traumatic events.
NET is a short-term individual intervention that focuses on embedding trauma exposure into an autobiographical context known as a timeline. This timeline remains with the patient after therapy is over.
Prolonged exposure therapy (PE)
PE is a subtype of cognitive behavioral therapy used to treat PTSD and other mental health conditions. PE often takes place over 3 months.
The therapeutic relationship must be stable before exposure begins in the office and outside of therapy.
During the sessions, the therapist helps individuals talk through and confront trauma-related:
- memories
- fears
- feelings
- situations
Treatment for children will differ from treatment for adolescents and adults. Children need specialized therapy to accommodate their developmental levels and ability to participate.
Play therapy
Play therapy uses the therapeutic power of play to help children work through trauma. The target group for play therapy is children ages 3 to 12.
During a play therapy session, the therapist observes a child through play. They can also use this age-appropriate behavior to address trauma and develop coping strategies.
Art therapy
Art therapy uses creative expression to address and heal the effects of traumatic events. Art mediums include:
- drawing
- coloring
- painting
- collage
- sculpture
The American Art Therapy Association says art therapy provides an outlet without words. It may:
- improve cognition
- foster self-esteem and self-awareness
- reduce conflicts and stress
- cultivate emotional resilience
Preventing or lessening the consequences of childhood trauma is possible with the right treatments and support.
If your child is coping with the effects of trauma, the first step is support. You’ll want to find a qualified mental health professional to treat your child and get them into therapy as soon as possible.
Family therapy is also recommended, such as with TF-CBT. These sessions can help parents or caregivers learn how to support and encourage their children at home. It also teaches parents how to:
- avoid blame
- listen
- watch for worsening symptoms
Finding help for childhood trauma
Mental health professionals like psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists can help with childhood trauma. Some specialize in treating children.
If you’re interested in a specific type of therapy, look for a therapist with that credential. Resources include:
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Art Therapy Credentials Board
- Association for Play Therapy
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
- GoodTherapy
- The Trevor Project (crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQIA+ youth): Call 866-488-7386 or Text START to 678-678.
- Therapy for Black Girls
With the right therapy, the outlook for people who’ve experienced childhood trauma is positive.
Depending on the type of trauma and how long it occurred, treatment may take some time to work, especially if you’re addressing it as an adult.
Therapy for childhood trauma can help lessen the effects of traumatic events. Different therapies include art therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and play therapy, among others.
Addressing trauma during childhood or adolescence can reduce the risk of developing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression or chronic conditions in the future.
Seeking treatment as an adult is also beneficial, helping you identify trauma and cope with its effects.