Understanding Traumatized Teens: A Guide for Adults Working with Adolescents

Impulsivity, poor judgment, moodiness, and risky behavior are common traits associated with adolescence. However, beneath these surface-level issues, many teenagers may be struggling with unspoken trauma. Unaddressed traumatic stress can lead to self-destructive behaviors, academic problems, substance abuse, and reluctance to engage in therapy or treatment.

In the United States, millions of teens face traumatic stress due to poverty, abuse, neglect, bullying, traumatic loss, and community violence. Unfortunately, youth are often hesitant to disclose or discuss their traumatic experiences, and adults working with them may not immediately recognize the connection between past trauma and current risky behavior.

Recognizing and Helping Traumatized Teens

Beyond PTSD: Helping and Healing Teens Exposed to Trauma is a comprehensive guide that helps adults recognize and understand traumatized youth. This book provides concrete strategies for engaging with teens, overcoming resistance, and finding evidence-based treatment approaches that cater to their unique needs.

Contributors from various fields, including schools, hospitals, child welfare programs, juvenile justice facilities, pediatric offices, and family services, share their expertise to provide practical tips for managing the challenges of working with trauma-exposed adolescents. Topics covered include trauma-informed approaches to youth with aggression, suicide and self-injury, psychosis, and school refusal, as well as working with teens who have physical or developmental disabilities, medical comorbidities, or are involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems.

The book includes tables comparing different types of trauma therapies, providing information on how to adapt treatments to fit specific teens or settings. Real-life case vignettes and clinical pearls offer practical guidance on effective communication strategies, including language examples, to engage with difficult-to-reach teens.

A Practical Resource for Clinicians, Social Workers, Pediatricians, and Parents

This book is designed to be a practical and accessible resource for clinicians, social workers, pediatricians, school counselors, and parents. It provides the necessary information, context, and strategies to help the teen in front of them. By recognizing the signs of trauma and using the approaches outlined in this book, adults can make a meaningful difference in the lives of traumatized teens.