Trauma Focused​ CBT

TF-CBT: Evidence-Based Trauma Care for Children and Teens

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment designed specifically to help children and adolescents process and resolve the impacts of trauma.
 
If your child has experienced a significant life stressor, family transition, traumatic event, or is experiencing intense stress regarding a family situation, TF-CBT offers a structured, supportive pathway to healing.
 

Signs of Traumatic Stress in Children & Teens
Trauma and severe stress can manifest in many different ways. If you notice these shifts in your child’s behavior, mood, or school life, they may be experiencing traumatic stress:

SUDDEN MOOD SHIFTS

Unexplained anger or irritability that goes from “0 to 60” that may feel out of the blue.

ANXIETY & WORRIES

New or intensely increased fears, worries, general anxious behaviors, or new hyperactivity. 

Sleep & appetite Shift

Navigating sudden difficulties sleeping, nightmares, or changes in eating habits. 

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Worsened school performance, poor attention span, change in attitude or sudden school refusal. 

SOCIAL
WITHDRAWAL

Isolating from friends, peers, or pulling away from the family system. 

TRAUMA
REACTIVITY

Heightened safety concerns or lack of safety, reacting to reminders, or thoughts about death/dying about self or others. 

What exactly is TF-CBT?

TF-CBT helps children and adolescents process their experiences through a structured, multi-phased treatment plan. A core component of this model is the creation of a trauma narrative, which helps the child safely process the event and develop a sense of mastery over their story.
 
Throughout the therapeutic journey, our providers focus heavily on:
Because creating a trauma narrative requires significant verbal and emotional processing skills, our therapists ensure your child is fully grounded. The child must be able to comfortably engage in calming and relaxation skills—which the therapist will patiently teach them—before ever moving into the trauma narrative phase.

A Tailored Approach to Youth Trauma

Every child heals at their own pace. If a child or teen requires an alternate, less verbal method to process their trauma, our clinicians can seamlessly adapt. All of our TF-CBT therapists are cross-trained in other evidence-based youth modalities, including Play Therapy, EMDR, Brainspotting, and/or Sand Tray Therapy, ensuring your child receives the exact form of care they need.

This integrative model directly links the distinct ways that experiences or memories are stored in our mind and body:

At Mindful Way Counseling, our clinicians bring specific training and deep empathy to trauma care for teens and children, ensuring your family feels supported every step of the way.
 
Our TF-CBT trained providers include:
    • Matt Merriman, LMFT
    • Andrea Patten, LICSW

 

Ready to give therapy a try?

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