Understanding and Helping Traumatized Teens: A Comprehensive Guide

Impulsivity, poor judgment, moodiness, and risky behavior are common characteristics associated with adolescence. However, what if these behaviors are not just a result of teenage angst, but rather a cry for help, a sign of unspoken trauma?

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, teens nationwide struggle with traumatic stress related to poverty, abuse, neglect, bullying, traumatic loss, and interpersonal or community violence.

Despite the prevalence of traumatic stress, youth are often reluctant to disclose or discuss their experiences, making it challenging for adults to recognize the connection between prior trauma and the teen’s current behavior. This is where Beyond PTSD: Helping and Healing Teens Exposed to Trauma comes in – a comprehensive guide that helps adults understand and support traumatized teens.

A Practical Resource for Professionals and Caregivers

This invaluable resource brings together nearly twenty experts who share their extensive experience working with traumatized teens in various settings, including schools, hospitals, child welfare programs, juvenile justice facilities, pediatric offices, and family environments.

The book offers concrete strategies for:

• Recognizing and understanding traumatized youth
• Overcoming resistance and engaging teens in therapy or treatment
• Finding the most appropriate evidence-based treatment approach for each individual

Trauma-Informed Approaches for Diverse Populations

The book covers trauma-informed approaches for working with teens who have experienced:

• Aggression, suicide, and self-injury
• Psychosis and school refusal
• Physical or developmental disabilities or medical comorbidities
• Experiences in juvenile justice or child welfare systems
• LGBTQ+ youth
• Teen parents

Throughout the book, tables compare different types of trauma therapies, providing valuable information on how to adapt treatments to fit specific teens and settings. Real-life case vignettes and concrete, specific clinical pearls offer practical guidance on working effectively with difficult-to-engage teens with complex symptoms and behaviors.

Beyond PTSD: Helping and Healing Teens Exposed to Trauma is written to be practical and accessible for clinicians, social workers, pediatricians, school counselors, and even parents, providing the information, context, and strategies they need to help the teen in front of them.

By understanding and addressing the root causes of traumatized teens’ behavior, we can provide them with the support and guidance they need to heal and thrive.

Published by American Psychiatric Association Publishing, October 17, 2018. ISBN: 9781615371105, 9781615372171.