Understanding the difference between normal adolescent behavior and actual problematic issues can be difficult and confusing. Helping parents decipher the symptoms and behaviors of their children, and whether they point to underlying emotional issues, our therapeutic counseling is designed to offer adolescent individuals a supportive environment in which to deal with stress and emotional upheaval.
Unresolved childhood trauma, whether caused by a divorce, physical or sexual abuse, or neglect, can have long-lasting, often confusing effects on the whole family. Because children under the age of six have very little ability to express their emotions, the repercussions of these events often don’t surface until years later, when that child becomes more aware of what they’ve endured.
Symptoms of traumatic stress often include:
- Reluctance or resistance to experience new situations or environments
- Unusual levels of dependence, often seen as clingy
- Difficulty sleeping
- Elevated levels of aggression
- Reduced impulse control
- Trouble regulating behavior and emotions. Often overreacts to everyday situations
- Shows regression in functioning and developmental skills
Because childhood trauma can continue to cause emotional stress, even at a subconscious level, it is imperative that family and individual counseling sessions are included in therapy. Working through feelings of guilt, helplessness and anger, our treatments are meant to facilitate healthy acceptance and emotional recovery; allowing your child to flourish.
Find out more about childhood trauma and its effects on both young children and adolescents by scheduling an introductory session with Georgina Ramirez, MFT now.
