Healing Beyond the Surface: Complex Trauma Care for Teens
As a counsellor, I often encounter clients who have experienced trauma. But what happens when the trauma is layered and multifaceted, deeply impacting their lives? Complex trauma care offers a transformative approach that goes beyond traditional methods, allowing our clients to truly experience some profound internal shifts making it easier to stay present and move forward with their lives.
Traditional trauma care often centers on single, isolated events and relies heavily on talk-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). However, these methods may fall short for complex trauma, which involves prolonged or repeated experiences such as ongoing abuse or neglect. Complex trauma deeply affects emotional regulation, self-perception, and relationships. Talk-based therapies can struggle to address these issues because they primarily focus on cognitive processes, potentially overlooking the intense emotional and physiological responses ingrained in the body.
For teenagers, who are still developing their sense of self, the impact can be particularly damaging. They need approaches that address both the mind and body to experience healing and integrate their experiences.
Recent research highlights how complex trauma affects the brain. Over the past five years, studies have shown that repeated trauma can alter brain structures like the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, impacting memory, emotional regulation, and decision-making. Neuroimaging studies reveal heightened amygdala activity, leading to increased anxiety and hyper-vigilance.
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a leading expert in trauma, notes, "The body keeps the score, and trauma imprints on the brain and body in ways we are only beginning to understand."
A Parental Figure’s Insight
As the caregiver of a teenager, understanding complex trauma is crucial. The teen in your care might be dealing with issues stemming from deep-seated trauma, affecting their behavior and emotional health. By seeking counsellors trained and skilled in complex trauma care, you can ensure they receive the comprehensive support they need. It’s essential to do your due diligence when choosing a therapist, as not every professional, regardless of their status in the medical system, has specialised training in complex trauma.
Additionally, be aware of spiritual bypassing, often seen on social media, where spiritual beliefs or misleading practices of "somatic" trauma release are used to avoid addressing emotional pain. These trends promote the idea that trauma can be "released" after a retreat or intensive session, rather than teaching how to manage body-based memories in day-to-day life. While spirituality can be a component of healing, it shouldn't replace the need for thorough, trauma-informed care.
Complex trauma researcher and educator, Janina Fischer’s teachings, emphasise the importance of understanding trauma’s impact on the nervous system. Her work focuses on integrating fragmented parts of identity and fostering a sense of safety and self-compassion. Fischer states, "Trauma is not just a story of what happened in the past, but a current imprint on mind and body."
If you suspect that your teenager is struggling with complex trauma, consider reaching out to a counsellor trained in these approaches. By choosing a professional who understands the nuances of complex trauma care, you’re taking an essential step toward your child’s healing journey.
What you are looking for is someone who can help to build your teen’s recovery plan that respects their story, leading to meaningful healing and progress.