Trauma-informed therapy for teens, youth, and young adults

Embark provides trauma-informed care to help youth, adolescents, teens, and young adults heal from traumatic experiences.  

Our compassionate and comprehensive approach to trauma therapy acknowledges the significant impact of trauma on young people and supports each individual's unique recovery journey.

Teens in a group therapy session emphasizing trauma-informed care.
LGBTQ+ individuals in a therapy session focused on trauma-informed care.
Teen girl working with a therapist during trauma-informed care at Embark Behavioral Health, focusing on emotional healing.

What is trauma-informed care and therapy? 

Trauma-informed care and therapy is an approach that understands and recognizes the impact of traumatic experiences on a young person’s life.  

Child trauma is more common than many people realize, affecting youth, adolescents, teens, and young adults in all areas of their physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.  

Creating a safe and supportive environment is crucial to helping young people heal from their trauma. At Embark, we use trauma-informed care to understand what each young person has experienced, ensuring they feel safe enough to focus on their emotional and mental health.  

How does youth, teen, and adolescent trauma therapy work?

Youth, teen, and adolescent trauma therapy works by addressing the root causes of trauma, such as abuse, neglect, loss, or violence, to promote long-term healing and resilience.  

Trauma-informed care focuses on helping youth, teens, and young adults recover by creating a safe and supportive environment, addressing the emotional and cognitive disruption caused by traumatic experiences, and reducing the likelihood of negative behaviors. 

Recognizing and addressing trauma helps with immediate recovery and lays the groundwork for healthier and more productive lives.  

When effectively implemented, trauma-informed care helps youth, adolescents, teens, and young adults by: 

  • Creating a safe space:

    Therapists provide a supportive environment where youth, teens, and young adults feel comfortable sharing their experiences. 

  • Understanding feelings:

    Therapists help youth, teens, and young adults understand and express their emotions and traumatic experiences. 

  • Teaching body and mind techniques:

    Therapy may include breathing exercises or physical activities to help calm the body and mind. 

  • Building trust:

    Therapists work to establish trusting relationships, modeling the positive and healthy relationships youth, teens, and young adults should strive to build. 

  • Developing coping skills:

    Trauma-informed care teaches skills to manage stress and emotional responses. 

  • Healing relationships:

    Therapy helps youth, teens, and adolescents improve relationships with family and friends. 

  • Using a mix of methods:

    Techniques such as talk therapy, art therapy, or animal-assisted therapy may be used to support healing from trauma. 

What are some trauma-informed care modalities and practices?

Trauma-informed care isn't a specific type of treatment but a framework that can be applied across different settings and therapies to support youth, adolescents, teens, and young adults.  

Some common trauma-informed care practices include: 

  • Talk therapy:

    Providing a safe space to discuss feelings and experiences. 

  • Helping change negative thought patterns and behaviors. 

  • Using guided eye movements to process trauma. 

  • Somatic therapy:

    Focusing on the connection between the body and mind. 

  • Art and music therapy:

    Using creative activities to express emotions. 

  • Mindfulness and meditation:

    Practicing techniques to stay calm and present. 

  • Play therapy:

    Allowing youth to express and process emotions through play. 

  • Animal-assisted therapy:

    Using interactions with animals to improve emotional well-being. 

  • Group therapy:

    Sharing experiences and finding support from others with similar backgrounds. 

Teen hiking in a forest as part of trauma-informed care therapy.
Group therapy discussion focusing on trauma-informed interventions.
Teen hugging a golden retriever for emotional support during trauma therapy.

What conditions and symptoms can youth and teen trauma therapy help treat?

A trauma-informed approach provides a supportive and understanding environment that can help youth, teens, and young adults with various conditions and symptoms related to trauma.  

Here are some ways it can help: 

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):

    Trauma-informed therapy creates a safe and supportive framework for individuals dealing with PTSD symptoms. 

  • Anxiety and depression:

    This approach helps manage anxiety and depression in youth and teens by addressing the impact of trauma on their mental health

  • Behavioral issues:

    Trauma-informed therapy can address behavioral problems in youth and adolescents by understanding the roots of trauma.

  • Substance abuse:

    Trauma-informed care supports adolescents, teens, and young adults in overcoming substance abuse by focusing on their underlying trauma.

  • Self-harm and suicidal ideation:

    It offers a safe space for youth, teens, and young adults to express and process thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

  • Attachment disorders:

    Trauma-informed care helps youth and young adults who struggle with forming healthy attachments due to early trauma.

Find the mental health treatment that best meets your needs

Embark Behavioral Health delivers mental health care through a trusted nationwide network of more than 30 outpatient centers and inpatient programs across the U.S.

Start your healing journey today!

What are the benefits of youth, teen, and adolescent trauma therapy?

Trauma-informed care offers several benefits for youth, adolescents, teenagers, and young adults, including:

1_Embark_Teal

Enhanced safety, trust, empowerment, and autonomy 

Trauma-informed care creates a safe environment where individuals feel trusted, which is crucial for healing. It also encourages youth, teens, and young adults to take more responsibility for their therapy.

2_Embark_Orange

Better therapeutic relationships and culturally sensitive care 

A trauma-informed care approach fosters trusting relationships between youth and therapists. It addresses their unique cultural and gender-related needs so they can get the most out of treatment.

3_Embark_Mint

Reduced re-traumatization 

Trauma-informed care works to prevent re-traumatization by using careful, considerate practices that acknowledge and address the core trauma experienced by the young person.

4_Embark_Yellow

Improved emotional regulation and holistic healing

It helps youth, teens, and young adults develop better strategies for managing their emotions, promoting overall well-being by addressing the broad impact of trauma on their lives.

See how other youth, teens, and young adults have found healing through trauma-informed therapy

We understand finding the right therapy for your youth, teen or young adult can be difficult.  

Embark’s programs are led by compassionate, clinically-trained professionals who are deeply committed to providing high-quality mental health services. 

See how we’ve helped other youth, teens and young adults find healing through trauma-informed therapy.

Nora leaving a review and testimonial of Embark Behavioral Health's IOP and PHP in Cabin John, Maryland, sharing her experience with the programs.
Teen girl with a canine therapy dog leaving a testimonial about how CALO uses animal-assisted therapy to support healing at their residential treatment center.

We accept hundreds of insurance plans across all 50 states

We work with most insurance providers. Contact us, and we’ll help you find an insurance option that works for your family.

Mental health resources to guide your journey

Our resources can help you navigate the often confusing world of mental health treatment.

Expert blog and Embark company news

Stay up-to-date on the latest news from Embark and read our blog for expert advice and tips on topics like depression, social media, and self-care.

Parenting guides and podcasts

Explore our guides and listen to our podcasts, Roadmap to Joy and Embark Sessions, for insights on supporting the young people in your life.

Many families have been where you are today. Explore our mental health resources for guidance at any stage of your healing journey.