At Clearfork Academy, we combine clinically proven treatments with the power of community and faith-based healing to help teens build a foundation that supports long-term healing from trauma.
Unresolved trauma can cause a devastating impact on teen mental health and increase their risk of disease in adulthood.
Targeting The Root of Trauma
Clearfork Academy understands the complex nature of trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in teens. Trauma can be sneaky, showing up as other mental health disorders and even physical health problems. During a stressful or traumatic event, the body goes into survival mode and releases the stress hormone cortisol.
Unresolved trauma can make cortisol levels stay elevated, disrupting the hormonal cycles of a developing teen. In many cases, trauma can be the root of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or borderline personality disorder. It may be difficult for teens to get treated for trauma especially if they lack the language or communication skills to verbalize their experiences.
Recognize The Signs
Our empathetic team understands trauma can look like other mental or physical health problems, making it difficult to recognize and treat. Some common signs of trauma in teens include:
- Excessive feelings of shame or guilt
- Depression or anxiety
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Changes in sleep/appetite
- Stomach problems, headaches, muscle & joint pain
- Sudden decline in academic performance
- Isolation and social withdrawal
- Aggression & irritability
- Substance abuse
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Causes of Teenage Trauma
Trauma is caused by stressful experiences that put the body into flight or fight mode. This can be physical or psychological. Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop trauma, but some of the most common causes include:
- Car Accident
- School shooting
- Sudden death of a loved one
- Natural disaster
- Terrorist attack
- Growing up in a war zone
- Medical injury
- Physical, sexual or emotional abuse
Types of Trauma Treatment
Clearfork Academy offers clinically proven, trauma-informed care to help teens address the root of trauma and develop coping skills to help them manage symptoms and live a happy life.
- EMDR Therapy: This therapy is designed specifically for the treatment of trauma. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation of the brain to process emotional distress and de-sensitize traumatic memories.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT is a popular form of psychotherapy that helps break negative thinking patterns, develop positive coping skills and set goals.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: DBT was originally designed for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. This form of psychotherapy focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation and building resilience to overcome the effects of trauma.
- Group Therapy: In group therapy teens are able to connect with each other over lived experiences of trauma. Here they can share stories and healthy coping skills under the guidance of a licensed counselor.
- Family Therapy: This therapy takes techniques of CBT and focuses on the entire family system to address the impacts of trauma on youth.
Childhood & teenage trauma can increase the risk of heart disease, autoimmune disease and premature death.
Trauma-Informed Care at Clearfork Academy
Christ-centered treatment facility in Texas focusing on treating teenagers who are struggling with the effects of trauma. We provide residential treatment and intensive outpatient programs for teens struggling with trauma and other mental health disorders. Clearfork uses a blend of evidence-based therapies, medication, recreational activities and family support/education to help your teen overcome their trauma and live a life free of suffering.
Teen Trauma Therapy FAQ
Motivating a teenager to start treatment requires you to be open and understanding with them. Reassure them that you will listen without judgment and only give advice when they ask for it. From a place of care and understanding, it will be easier to support them with getting treatment.
The teen years are a challenging time to process trauma. A teen may not communicate because they:
- Think their family will not understand or will be upset
- Need time to understand the event
- Prefer talking with friends
- Feel shame about the event
- Distract themselves from the event
- Fear judgment
If you are experiencing teen trauma, you will not feel the way you do forever. With the right trauma treatment, it is possible to recover and live a healthy and happy life. At Clearfork, we provide a safe and wholesome environment for recovery.
As the parent of a teenager who is struggling with trauma, you can:
- Be flexible and patient
- Remember, they are the same person they were before
- Let them know their reaction is valid and normal
- Show that you care and are genuinely interested in them and their life
At Clearfork, we believe that it is important to think about recovery holistically. We provide complementary treatments for trauma in addition to primary ones. These include yoga and alternative therapies such as art and equine therapy.
Clearfork Academy focuses on the needs of teenagers who are struggling with trauma and any co-occurring conditions such as substance abuse and PTSD. We provide a safe environment for you to focus solely on recovery, allowing your family to join specific treatments so that you all get the support you need.
