Childhood and adolescent trauma can significantly impact emotional, mental, and social development. Experiences like bullying, sexual abuse, domestic violence, life-threatening illnesses, or sudden life changes often leave children and teens feeling unsupported and overwhelmed. It’s essential to recognize that children and adolescents are not “young adults.” Therapy must be tailored to their developmental stages and designed to meet their unique needs, providing a safe and compassionate space for healing.
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At Intentions Counselling & Consulting in Burnaby, we specialize in child and adolescent trauma counselling, offering developmentally appropriate approaches such as play-based therapy and trauma-informed care. Our registered clinical counsellors work closely with young clients and their families, fostering a supportive environment to help process trauma and build healthy coping strategies. For adolescents, we also provide evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) to address emotional and behavioral challenges.
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Untreated trauma can lead to unsafe behaviors, including substance abuse, promiscuity, or running away. Early intervention through professional counselling in Burnaby helps children and teens build resilience, improve self-esteem, and develop healthy relationships. If your child is struggling with trauma, we’re here to support their journey to recovery and growth.
Definition
Trauma is the lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event. Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person’s sense of safety, sense of self, and ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships. Long after the traumatic event occurs, people with trauma can often feel shame, helplessness, powerlessness and intense fear.
Common Symptoms
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Anxiety
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Bedwetting
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Depression
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Nightmares
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Resisting attending school
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Poor performance or attendance in school
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Increase mood swings
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Substance use
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Self-harming behaviours
Is it Time to Make a Change?
As a parent, it can be challenging to understand your children’s behaviours and emotional reactions. It is normal to feel frustrated or confused about how to proceed. Often children communicate through their behaviours, and it is often a matter of finding the right tools to truly listen, support, and understand your child. If you are feeling worried or overwhelmed by your child’s behaviour or if you notice that your reactions to your child’s behaviour may not be helping, then it may be time for a change. Through a combination of Child Counselling and Play Therapy, children can learn to re-engage with their lives and gain control again, providing an opportunity for healthier emotional and mental development. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to our team.