Childhood Trauma

Childhood Trauma

Home » Specialties » Trauma Therapy » Childhood Trauma

Although trauma can occur at any age, it has particularly debilitating long-term effects on children’s developing brains.

Events that may be traumatic include

Being bullied
Sexual/physical/emotional abuse
Accidents or significant injury
Exposure to war
Medical trauma (surgery, serious or chronic illness)
Parental substance abuse
Untreated/poorly managed parental mental health issues
Parental neglect
parental conflict/domestic violence
Death/loss of a parent
Abuse due to race, orientation, religion

We can help with

Marriage and pre-marital Counselling
Control issues
Communication struggles
Personality conflicts
Co-parenting support
Trust and mistrust
Financial issues
Illness and substance use in relationships
Attachment Issues/Codependency
Domestic Violence/Abuse
Love and intimacy concerns
Infidelity and adultery
Divorce and Separation

Signs + Symptoms of Trauma

Trauma Symptoms in Children

Trauma signs in young children can take many forms, as it changes depending on the child’s age.

Preschool Children

Separation anxiety
Crying, whimpering, screaming
Immobility and/or aimless motions
Trembling, frightened facial expressions
Regressed behaviours (thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of darkness)
Self-soothing (rocking, head banging)

Elementary School Children

Extreme withdrawal
Disruptive behaviour
Inability to pay attention
Regressed behaviours
Nightmares/sleep problems
Irrational fears
Irritability/anger outbursts
Poor academic engagement
Depression, anxiety, feelings of guilt, emotional numbing

Adolescent + Teens

Flashbacks
Nightmares/sleep problems
Emotional numbing
Avoidance of reminders
Depression
Substance abuse
Anti-social behaviour
Withdrawal/isolation
Physical complaints
School problems
Guilt

Childhood Trauma Symptoms in Adults

Trauma signs in young children can take many forms, as it changes depending on the child’s age.

Preschool Children

Flashbacks
Nightmares/sleep problems
Emotional numbing
Avoidance of reminders
Depression
Substance abuse

Elementary School Children

Anti-social behaviour
Withdrawal/isolation
Physical complaints
School problems
Guilt