Childhood trauma can significantly impact a teenager’s mental health, academic performance, and family relationships. Professional treatment is crucial to help these young individuals heal, grow, and thrive. At Family First Adolescent Services, we specialize in providing comprehensive childhood trauma treatment for teens aged 13-18, addressing their unique needs and challenges.

Complex, acute, and chronic trauma

Experiencing trauma creates a lasting impact, especially when it happens during childhood. There are three major kinds of trauma: complex, acute, and chronic.

• Complex trauma – Complex trauma is ongoing and repetitive, often involving the betrayal of close relationships, like those between caregivers and children—sometimes called “relational trauma.” It can be caused by abuse or neglect or witnessed events, such as domestic violence or substance abuse.
• Acute trauma – This is a single traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, car accident, or assault. While the duration of acute trauma is shorter than complex trauma, its effects can be just as severe.
• Chronic trauma – Chronic trauma stems from the same types of events as acute trauma, just over a prolonged time. This can include repeated episodes of assault or living through long episodes of war or disaster.

Complex trauma and parentification

Complex trauma can be more impactful on children and teens because of the nature of the multiple traumatic events it involves. Many times, it makes young people—or the person with less power in the relationship—feel like they’re trapped in a situation. That’s why abuse and neglect are so complex, but more subtle experiences can also be traumatic.

Parentification, when the child/parent roles are reversed, is another type of complex trauma. Emotional and instrumental parentification are both possible.

• Emotional parentification – When a child is responsible for mediating parental arguments, soothing parents about finances or relationship issues, or trying to regulate a parent’s emotions in other ways
• Instrumental parentification – When a child has to carry household responsibilities, like making sure most or all chores are done, food is provided, making money for the family, and/or managing household finances

Every type of trauma can have significant impacts on an adolescent’s life, and the Family First team understands that each individual’s experience is unique. Our mental health professionals have over 120 years of combined clinical experience and are educated on the latest evidence-based practices for childhood trauma treatment.

The signs of childhood trauma

The signs of childhood trauma may manifest differently in each individual, but some common symptoms include:

• Difficulty regulating emotions and behaviors
• Nightmares or flashbacks
• Hypervigilance and heightened anxiety
• Avoidance of situations or triggers that remind them of the traumatic event(s)
• Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness
• Feelings of terror or fear
• Physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches
• Trouble setting boundaries

Teens might also lash out or seek refuge in unhealthy behaviors, like problematic gaming, substance use, or isolation. At Family First, we don’t treat these behaviors. We explore the underlying factors, like childhood trauma, to help our clients truly heal.

Treatment for childhood trauma at our center

Our comprehensive approach to childhood trauma treatment provides support for teens and families.

For teens

Trauma-informed therapy approaches ensure that we prioritize our clients’ safety and comfort. Our team uses evidence-based practices like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). We also employ the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM), one of the most effective therapeutic models for addressing complex trauma.

Teens will also engage in activities that help them connect with themselves and build bonds with others. Exercising at our gym, paddleboarding on the intercoastal waterway, creating art, and going on adventures with our professionals allow teens to process their trauma in a safe environment.

For families

Childhood trauma often stems from and impacts the family unit. Our team works closely with families to help them understand their teen’s behavior and provide support and guidance. Engaging in regular family therapy sessions and parental support groups can help families learn healthy communication and coping skills, leading to stronger relationships.

Building and maintaining a healthy home environment is crucial for a teen’s long-term recovery. Through our family programming, we empower parents and guardians to create positive changes that promote their teen’s well-being. Additionally, we provide at least 12 months of aftercare support upon program completion.

Levels of care

We offer two levels of adolescent mental health treatment. Our 45- to 90-day residential program is for boys only and is held at our secure Palm Beach Gardens, FL, campus. The co-ed Pinnacle Day Program in Ft. Lauderdale is powered by Family First and offers convenient outpatient care for families in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties.

Call Family First Adolescent Services for childhood trauma treatment in Florida

The adolescent mental health treatment programs at Family First are designed with families in mind. Trauma doesn’t just affect your teen but also the relationships they have with parents, siblings, and everyone else in their life. We’ll work closely with your family to help you understand and support your teen’s healing journey while they’re in treatment.

Call 888.904.5947 or contact us online to get started now.