Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is for children and teens who have experienced one or more traumatic events.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based approach that has proven to be highly effective in treating children and teens who have experienced trauma and/or grief, such as child sexual abuse, racial trauma, trauma experienced by LGBTQ youth and youth who are transgender or gender diverse, commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), natural disasters, war, physical and emotional abuse, immigration, or loss of a loved one.
TF-CBT focuses on addressing the impact these traumatic experiences have on a child’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
TF-CBT integrates cognitive and behavioral techniques in a safe and supportive environment, helping young children process and cope with their trauma using methods that are gradual and measurable. By targeting negative thinking patterns and enhancing emotional regulation skills, TF-CBT fosters healing and resilience for children who have or are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, TF-CBT acknowledges the importance of fostering a healthy attachment between children and their caregivers during treatment for trauma, providing caregivers the tools and skills necessary to develop attachment security with their children, as well as helping build relationships between caregivers and their support systems.
We can help with:
Hey there! I’m Julia.
I’m a nationally-certified TF-CBT therapist and clinical supervisor specializing in helping children and teens who have experienced trauma and attachment problems. The number one predictor of success with Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is involvement of the caregiver in treatment.
Read on to learn more about my approach, or book a call to schedule a free consultation with me to learn more about how we can help your child heal from trauma.
“The more healthy relationships a child has, the more likely he will be to recover from trauma and thrive…
Relationships are the agents of change and the most powerful therapy is human love.” — Dr. Bruce D. Perry
My approach to TF-CBT focuses on helping you feel empowered, validated, and deeply supported as your child’s caregiver, while also helping you understand your child's traumatic experiences in a sensitive, informative way. Healing trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder can take time, but with the love and support of parents and caregivers, as well as the guidance of a trained therapist certified in treating child trauma, children and teens can heal from trauma and move on to live fulfilling, successful lives.
Trauma-Focused CBT in Las Vegas | FAQs
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Trauma therapy begins by creating a safe and supportive environment where you can share your experiences and feelings related to trauma without judgment.
Together, we’ll explore the traumatic events and how they've impacted your child’s life. We’ll help you understand patterns and connections that might be influencing your child’s current struggles. You'll gain insights into why your child reacts to certain situations or people after experiencing a traumatic event. This understanding can help you help your child manage symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, anxiety, or avoidance.
During our trauma therapy sessions, your child will work on healing from the traumatic event(s) and building resilience to discuss details of the event(s). Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy® will include learning about trauma and PTSD, developing new coping strategies, such as relaxation and guided visualization, and helping your child filter through unhelpful thoughts.
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Trauma-Focused CBT is an evidence-based intervention with plenty of empirical data to back up its efficacy. Unlike standard CBT, trauma-focused CBT is designed for children ages 3-18 and can be culturally adapted to fit the needs of children from all backgrounds, including those with refugee trauma, cultural trauma, and immigration trauma.
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One of the things that makes trauma therapy different is how long it may take. There is no prescribed number of sessions, and no cut-offs after a certain number of sessions due to insurance limitations. Some children might see significant changes in 6-12 sessions, while others may continue therapy for a year or more.
In addition to considering you and your child’s unique needs and goals for therapy, the length of treatment and frequency of sessions depends on a number of factors. Some of these include the severity of the symptoms from the traumatic events, the complexity and extent of your child’s trauma history, the age at which traumatic events occurred, and the degree of support your child has at school, at home, and within the other relationships in their life.
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Trauma-Focused CBT is helpful for children and teens, though there are some signs that a child may not yet be ready for TF-CBT. Children who are still struggling to recover immediately after a traumatic event should wait until they feel ready to talk to a therapist. Parents andd caregivers should never force their child to do trauma-focused CBT if they are not ready. Parents also play a large role in the success of TF-CBT, and the biggest predictor of success in TF-CBT is the support and understanding of the child’s caregivers.
Your child does not have to have a PTSD diagnosis to begin TF-CBT. When you book a 15-minute consult with me to decide if we’re a good fit, we can discuss whether trauma therapy is right for your child. If your child is not yet ready for trauma treatment, we can discuss other options that can still benefit you and your child.
How To Get Started
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Schedule Intake Assessment
Click the Book Appointment button and choose a time that works for you for our first appointment. At this session, I’ll be talking with just you, the caregiver, so I can get an accurate history of your child. Your child doesn’t have to be present for this session. During this meeting, we’ll spend some time talking about what therapy will look like, your preferences, what you can expect, and your personalized goals.
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Patient Forms
Prior to our first appointment, you’ll need to read, sign, and complete the patient forms here. If you have any questions during this process, please reach out and we’ll be happy to help.
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The Psychotherapy Process
We’ll meet weekly for 45-50-minute sessions. At the next session, I’ll meet with your child and with you. I’ll spend most of the time getting to know your child through play activities like games or art, whichever your child prefers.
In the sessions that follow, I’ll spend half of the time with you and any other caregivers about how your child is doing, as well as providing education and skills you can use at home. In the other half, I’ll be doing therapy with your child, and teaching them skills that they get to show you later on!
It is possible for your child to heal from trauma, regardless of the severity or length of the traumatic events. My goal is not only to help your child heal, but to help support you along this difficult journey. Working with a trained child trauma therapist will yield amazing results. Book a call with me today to see if we’re a good fit working together.