Treatment options for children and adolescent trauma survivors can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and crisis management to reduce anxiety, worry, and fear of repeated trauma. Play therapy is an effective method often used with young children with posttraumatic stress disorder because they often have difficulty dealing with trauma directly. Cases in which a child or adolescent is acting out sexually in response to a sexual trauma or in which he or she may be using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism as a result of trauma often require additional treatment modalities.

Review the media program Trauma and consider the symptomology of PTSD and how trauma can affect children and adolescents. Then, select a different type of childhood or adolescent trauma from the one you selected for the Discussion. Consider the posttraumatic stress symptoms that are likely to occur and what type of treatment interventions you might use to treat the child or adolescent. Also, think about how you might support or educate parents or guardians as they attempt to support their child or adolescent.

Describe a major trauma or event that may occur to children and/or adolescents.
Describe three potential symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder that may occur as a result of the major trauma or event, and explain why these symptoms may occur.
Describe one intervention you might use in treating this type of trauma. Justify the selection of your intervention using the week’s resources and current literature.
Explain two ways you might educate or support the parents/guardians as they help their child or adolescent through the trauma. Be specific.