Child Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder Therapy
Brooklyn, New york

Childhood should be a time of growth and joy, but for some children, traumatic experiences can cast a long shadow. At Interborough, we specialize in therapy for children suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Our compassionate therapists use a blend of evidence-based techniques tailored to each child’s unique experience and needs.

We provide a safe, nurturing environment where your child can begin to heal and regain their sense of security. Our goal is to help your child process and overcome their trauma, enabling them to move forward with resilience and confidence. Together, we can restore the light in your child’s life.

TL;DR

Child PTSD therapy at Interborough provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment tailored to each child’s needs, helping them process and overcome trauma in a safe, supportive environment. PTSD in children may develop after exposure to events involving death, serious injury, or violence, with symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, mood swings, avoidance, hypervigilance, and emotional withdrawal. IDCC clinicians, trained in trauma-focused care, consider cultural and family contexts to build trust and address triggers. Treatment often includes both individual and group therapy, aimed at restoring emotional resilience, reducing distress, and supporting children and families in their recovery journey.

How do I know if my child has PTSD?

Children can develop Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a terrifying event. The symptoms a child may exhibit can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe Anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. While not all children who live through a traumatic event will develop this disorder, PTSD can affect youths of all ages and ethnicities. Post-traumatic stress disorder develops differently in each person who experiences it. Some individuals may notice symptoms in the days and weeks following the event while others do not develop symptoms for weeks, months, or even years after the event.

Some common symptoms children with PTSD may exhibit include:

Traumatic experiences and stressor play a key role in bringing out specific mental behaviors in the child. Some of the experiences which impact a child are listed include exposure to:

This above can impact the child through direct exposure, witnessing the trauma, in person or indirectly, or by learning that a close relative or close friend was exposed to trauma.

When a child experiences a particular stressor or traumatic event, this may persistently be re-experienced by your child in one or more of the following ways:

My son has PTSD now what?

Avoidance of Trauma-related thoughts or feelings or Trauma-related external reminders (e.g., people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations)
Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s): (two required)
The inability to recall key features of the trauma (usually dissociative amnesia; not due to head injury, alcohol, or drugs)
Overly (and often distorted) negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “The world is completely dangerous”)
Exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma event or for resulting consequences
Negative affect / negative trauma-related emotions (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame)
Decreased interest in (pre-traumatic) activities
Feeling isolated (e.g., detachment or estrangement)
Difficulty experiencing positive affect / persistent inability to experience positive emotions
Increased irritability or aggression
Risky or destructive behavior
Hypervigilance
Heightened startle reaction
Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
Depersonalization which is experience of being an outside observer of or detached from oneself (e.g., feeling as if “this is not happening to me” or one were in a dream)

WHY IDCC?

At IDCC, we have found through treating many cases of trauma, that children can heal from PTSD and traumatic events. Our clinical director is a trauma specialist and has provided training for our staff in evidence-based trauma treatment. Clinicians are trained to take various other items into account when working with a child including their culture, religion, and family arrangement. By building a strong relationship with the child, our clinicians get to the root of the triggers which in turn enables a strong recovery.

My son has PTSD now what?

Group and Individual treatment for Trauma is usually recommended by a therapist who specializes in this field. This treatment can help children and families cope with the impact of traumatic events and move toward recovery. Each child’s treatment depends on the nature, timing, and amount of exposure to a trauma.

Key Takeaways

Understanding PTSD in Children
- PTSD can develop after a child experiences or witnesses trauma such as death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
- Not all children exposed to trauma develop PTSD, and symptoms may appear days, weeks, or even years later.
Common Symptoms
- Emotional/behavioral signs: shock, denial, confusion, anger, irritability, guilt, shame, mood swings, social withdrawal, sadness, or hopelessness.
- Cognitive/psychological signs: intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, dissociation, difficulty concentrating, negative self-beliefs, and persistent fear or blame.
- Physical/physiological signs: hypervigilance, heightened startle response, sleep difficulties, and physiologic distress after trauma reminders.
How Trauma Manifests in Children
- Children may re-experience trauma through repetitive play, nightmares, or dissociative reactions.
- Symptoms can include avoidance of trauma-related reminders, loss of interest in activities, and inability to feel positive emotions.
- Risky or destructive behaviors, aggression, and depersonalization (feeling detached from self) may also occur.
Treatment Approach at IDCC
- Specialized trauma-informed care led by trained clinicians, including a clinical director who is a trauma specialist.
- Consideration of cultural, religious, and family factors in treatment planning.
- Building strong therapeutic relationships to address triggers and foster recovery.
Therapeutic Options
- Both individual and group therapy are recommended depending on the child’s trauma exposure and needs.
- Therapy helps children process traumatic experiences, manage symptoms, and rebuild a sense of security and resilience.
Goal of Therapy
- Empower children to heal, regain confidence, and move forward with resilience.
- Support families in coping with trauma’s impact while creating a nurturing environment for recovery.

Taking the Next Step in Your Child’s Emotional Health

We invite you to discover our Child Depression Treatment. Our compassionate approach and expert therapy are designed to help your child overcome depression and embrace life with new hope and joy.