Help for PTSD in teenagers
For adolescents aged 12–17
- Understand how to help a teen with PTSD
- Learn coping skills and decrease symptoms
- Make positive long-term improvements
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Avery’s House is a safe environment for teens to get treatment for PTSD and other conditions.
About 5% of American teens experience post-traumatic stress disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prolonged stress response to a traumatic event. Most teens who experience trauma will not develop PTSD. However, left untreated, PTSD symptoms can last for years, severely interfering with an adolescent’s development and adult life. Avery’s House is here to help teens recover.
Teen post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD is a common diagnosis among survivors of trauma, including teens. While many teens experience some form of trauma, not all are diagnosed with PTSD. For those who develop this mental health condition following adverse experiences, however, therapy is a vital part of treatment.
PTSD can disrupt a teen’s ability to manage daily activities. Because its symptoms are unlikely to improve on their own, recognizing the causes and symptoms of PTSD in teens is crucial for getting them the timely help they need. The following are some common signs of this condition:
- Fear and overwhelm
- Nightmares or sleeplessness
- Flashbacks of the traumatic event
- Outbursts of anger
- Severe anxiety or stress
- A loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Inability to focus or concentrate
- Depression or numbness
What causes PTSD in teens?
PTSD has been demonstrated to develop in about 30% of documented child abuse cases, which include neglect as as well physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. While not every child who endures trauma will experience PTSD, some factors make one more likely to develop this condition.
The following factors are associated with a more severe PTSD response.
- A more severe traumatic event
- A lack of significant support following the trauma
- The presence of other stress factors
- Experience of previous traumas
- A previous diagnosis of depression or anxiety
- A genetic (familial) tendency toward depression
It’s important to note that not every case of PTSD has an obvious cause. It’s a mental health condition that remains continuously researched to improve our understanding.
Avery’s House works to stay up to date with this research, offering teens the best evidence-based treatments in a warm and friendly environment.
The need for teen PTSD treatment
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 6 US residents aged 6–27 experience a mental health disorder every year. Across the country, 44% of teenagers report feeling sad or hopeless every day for at least two consecutive weeks. And high school students with depression are more than twice as likely to drop out of school.
Additionally concerning, many teens cannot find or afford treatment for these damaging mental health conditions.
Avery’s House: Effective PTSD treatment for teens
Avery’s House is a teen mental health treatment center that offers a safe and comfortable setting in which teens can recover and thrive. We specialize in PTSD treatment.
Every teen in our program is paired with a specialist who will accurately diagnose their condition and collaborate with the teen and their family to develop a treatment plan that promotes healing and growth.
While these plans are tailored to each teen’s unique needs, strengths, and goals, the following are some PTSD treatment approaches offered at Avery’s House:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychological first aid (PFA)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Internal family systems model of therapy for trauma (IFS)
- Experimental therapies
Our therapists may also prescribe medication if they think it will benefit a specific teen.
Teens’ PTSD symptoms are more like those of adults than those of children
Benefits of our teen PTSD program
Teens in our program participate in both individual and group sessions, which combine to help them
- Recover from trauma
- Understand their condition
- Improve their mood
- Learn healthy coping strategies
- Heal family relationships
- Develop a support network
Our facility feels far more like a friendly, comforting home than a hospital.
(855) 506-1906
Avery’s House promotes healing and growth through the work of our team and the excellence of our program.
Josh Lemieux – Admissions
Therapeutic services included
While we tailor treatment plans to best reflect each teen’s challenges, strengths, and goals, the following are common services included:
- Weekly individual sessions
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Art therapy
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Pharmacotherapy
- Family therapy
- Community-based activities
- Music therapy
- Case management
- Medication management
- Schooling options
Supporting your teen
If your teen is suffering PTSD, your role is vital. Your child will need a lot of love and support before their first PTSD therapy appointment and throughout their recovery process.
Here are some ways you can offer support:
- Talk openly with your teen about their feelings. Don’t lecture or try to “fix” anything. Just listen. It means a lot to know that you are there.
- Teach your child ways to relax and release stress, such as deep breathing exercises.
- Encourage your teen to participate in activities they enjoy, as they are ready and willing. Spending time with friends, cooking, and listening to music are great options.
(855) 506-1906
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