Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

We specialize in helping children and adults heal from trauma.

For more information on our Adult Trauma Therapy Services Click Here.

Has Your Child Experienced Trauma?

Some common types of trauma experienced in childhood are:

Death of a loved one
Domestic Violence
Physical &/or Sexual Abuse
Divorce
Medical Trauma
Neglect
Substance Abuse in the home
Sudden absence of a primary attachment figure (parent)
Car Accident
Witness of Violent Act

Your child is NOT alone. Nearly half of all children and adolescents have experienced some type of trauma.

Getting Help is Crucial

In the past, there was this idea that “Children are resilient. No matter what they experience, they can overcome.” While there is truth to a child’s resiliency there is also great danger in “sweeping it under the rug.” Children who have had a traumatic experience or who have suffered a loss may appear as though everything is okay. They may tell you they are fine, and they may avoid any discussion of the topic. In reality, there is often a lot going on under the surface.

Here are just a few examples of the short-term effects:

Acting out in social situations
Anxiety or fearfulness
Chronic or recurrent physical complaints
Difficulty with focus
Irritability
Learning difficulties/disabilities
Nightmares and sleep issues
Startle easily
Temper tantrums
“Spaciness” or seeming to detach from reality

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) is a longitudinal study, looking at the impact of traumatic stress. Results show a connection between adverse childhood experiences and the following long-term effects:

High-risk behaviors (ex. alcoholism, drug abuse, unprotected sex)
Chronic diseases (ex. cancer and heart disease)
Early Death

The Younger the Child, The Greater the Impact

People often incorrectly assume that young children aren’t as harmed by trauma and aren’t as impacted by loss. In the past, professionals ignored the baby that was “sleeping” in another room while a domestic violence incident occurred in another room. Professionals also assumed that children who experienced something scary would simply “grow out of it.”

However, the opposite is true. The brain research demonstrates that the younger a child is, the greater that child will be impacted by traumatic stress.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is an excellent resource. See here for information on early childhood trauma.

There is Hope. There is Help.

Fortunately, children do have the ability to adapt and heal. While we do not want to assume children will do this on their own, treatment builds upon their resiliency and can allow for healthy healing to occur.

At BPC, we use a blend of Play Therapy, Mindfulness Techniques, Theraplay, Sand Tray, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and EMDR and Family Therapy Integrative Model.

What is EMDR Therapy?

One of the most powerful and well-researched therapies used to treat trauma and its lasting effects is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – also known as EMDR. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal.

EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological and emotional trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma.

When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can causes intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes.

Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy in a verily short period of time that once took years to make a difference.**

EMDR and Family Therapy Integrative Model: Treatment for Attachment Trauma in Children

Children who have suffered from parental neglect, abuse, loss, medical problems that interfered with the parent-child bonds, or distressing circumstances such as domestic violence or parental psychiatric or substance abuse problems often exhibit behavioral symptoms such as food and elimination problems, aggression and meltdowns, defiance, lying, and stealing.

The integrative family therapy and EMDR therapy model provides an effective and efficient method for treating children with severe behaviors and a history of attachment disruptions and/or other traumatic events. Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and family therapy are integrated through specific steps.

Integrating Family Therapy and EMDR has Proven to:

Help parents learn to respond with effective trauma-informed strategies
Strengthen the security of the parent-child attachment relationship
Improves children’s behaviors and emotional regulation
Decrease reactivity related to traumatic memories and current triggers.

To learn more about this approach please visit The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska.

If you believe you can benefit from this therapy, or if you have questions, please contact our office.