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Adolescent PTSD & Trauma Teen Residential Treatment Center

Adolescent PTSD & Trauma Teen Residential Treatment Center

A psychological study looked at nearly a thousand teenagers and found that about 1 in 5 of them were dealing with teen PTSD. A problem that can lead to many long-term mental and physical health issues if left untreated. This condition is characterized by persistent fear or anxiety as a result of being exposed to a terrifying or tragic event. This statistic is a big wake-up call for the parents in Arizona whose teens may have experienced trauma in the past.

If you believe that your child is at risk of adolescent PTSD, Nexus Teen Academy is a premier teen mental health treatment center in Arizona that can help your son or daughter work through these trauma symptoms. Call our team today to learn more about how our individualized treatment programs can help your son or daughter and get the healing process started today. Now, let’s get a better understanding of what adolescent PTSD is.

What is Adolescent PTSD?

Teen wearing a hoodie, sitting alone with a downcast expression, representing symptoms of adolescent PTSD, highlighting the isolation and emotional struggles often faced by teens with trauma.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD in teens, is a chronic mental health condition that develops in some adolescents after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. A traumatic event such as accidents, shootings, acts of violence, natural disasters, or injuries. Such experiences significantly impact their mental health and interfere with other aspects of their lives, such as their daily functioning, social relationships, and general emotional and mental well-being.

Most children in the United States experience or witness a traumatic event before they reach adulthood, although a relatively small percentage develop PTSD. It is estimated that at least 5% of adolescents aged between 13-18 experience PTSD. From this percentage, girls are more likely to develop PTSD than boys, with an estimated prevalence of 8% for girls and 2.3% for boys.

The probability of your teen developing PTSD depends on various factors, including the intensity of the traumatic event, the number of traumas they have experienced, pre-existing mental health conditions, and the kind of support they receive after exposure to such traumatic events.

Symptoms of PTSD in Adolescents

  • Having flashbacks and reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again.
  • Frequent and disturbing dreams related to the traumatic event.
  • Unwanted and involuntary memories of the trauma.
  • Avoid conversations, places, people, and activities that remind them of the trauma.
  • Showing less interest in activities they used to enjoy
  • Detachment from friends and family.
  • Being overly alert or watchful
  • Exaggerated Startle Response
  • Irritability or Angry Outbursts
  • Difficulty Sleeping
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Blaming themselves
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches or stomachaches
  • Changes in Eating Habits
  • Substance abuse
  • Engaging in self-harm Behaviour

When to Go for Treatments for PTSD in My Child?

The sooner you identify the symptoms and decide to seek treatment for PTSD in your child can significantly influence their recovery and overall well-being.

  • If the above-mentioned symptoms of PTSD persist for more than a month in your child and significantly interfere with their daily activities, including social interactions, school performance, or family life.

What is a PTSD Teen Residential Treatment Center?

A teen trauma residential treatment center is a facility where teenagers with mental health and behavioral issues receive therapeutic care for PTSD or underlying trauma. The teenagers live in the residential facility during this time to improve treatment outcomes. This is particularly are typically helpful for teenagers who have serious mental health issues like PTSD and have not responded well to outpatient treatment. 

As mentioned, PTSD, if left untreated, has a profound impact on the adolescent’s life. It may later develop as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, lowering their quality of life. Teen mental illness treatment at Nexus Teen Academy’s residential center utilizes various therapeutic methods to help teenagers recover from traumatic experiences and co-occurring mental health disorders.

The Effectiveness of a Teen Residential Treatment Center for PTSD

Teen residential treatment centers are the best option for teens struggling with PTSD because of their ability to address the unique needs of adolescents struggling with unchecked trauma.

Benefits of a Teen Residential Treatment Center

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Understanding the following benefits of teen residential centers can help parents or caregivers decide the best treatment option for their teen.

Safe and Structured Environment

Residential treatment facilities specialized for trauma victims are designed to minimize triggers by providing an environment conducive to healing and recovery. They also have specific routines of regular healthy meals, exercise, and relaxation techniques your teen can follow daily as part of their treatment.

Therapeutic Treatment

The centers utilized evidence-based forms of therapy that have been proven effective in treating PTSD. They use therapeutic methods like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help teenagers process and heal from their traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

Holistic Approach

Residential treatment centers often adopt a holistic approach to treatment, addressing the various aspects of a teenager’s well-being. They may offer complementary therapies such as art therapy, mindfulness exercises, yoga, and recreational activities, which can enhance overall healing.

Peer Support

These trauma treatment programs bring together teenagers with similar traumatic experiences. Interacting with peers with similar experiences can benefit teenagers with PTSD. It allows them to share their experiences and help each other heal. Peer support also creates a sense of belonging, which can reduce feelings of isolation.

Family Involvement in Treatment

Residential trauma centers incorporate the family into the treatment plan. Family involvement is an important benefit as it allows you to understand the impact of trauma on your child and learn effective ways to support their recovery. Through family therapy sessions, you can understand your teenager’s experiences, emotions, and challenges to support them effectively. Along with family therapy, Nexus Teen Academy offers weekly family visits as well as daily family phone and video calls.

Choosing the Right Adolescent PTSD & Trauma Residential Treatment Center

When it comes to selecting an Adolescent PTSD & trauma residential treatment center in Arizona, Nexus Teen Academy is considered a safe choice. Here are some reasons why Nexus may be the best option for your teen PTSD treatment:

Professional and Experienced staff

Our clinical team, led by Hannah Carr, is comprised of highly trained and experienced mental health professionals specializing in treating adolescent PTSD. We use a documented and outcomes-validated treatment model with standardized protocols, session goals, and group curriculum.

Aftercare Planning

We provide a comprehensive teen aftercare program for teens with PTSD. This includes the steps to be taken before and after the teen is discharged to ensure they do not relapse. A good aftercare plan provides a smooth transition back to their daily routine and maintains the progress achieved during residential treatment.

Availability of Emergency Care Services

Unexpected challenges along the way may necessitate emergency services. We have appropriate protocols in place to handle emergencies. These include an on-site medical staff to manage, as well as a night-time security team to ensure your child’s safety.

Cost And Insurance

We offer affordable residential treatment designed to help teens heal and thrive. Plus, we accept most major private insurance plans to make it easier for you to get the care your child needs. Contact us today to learn more.

Reviews and Testimonials

Read reviews and testimonials from other parents and families with experience with our residential treatment center. Their insights and feedback provide valuable perspectives on the facility’s effectiveness, staff experience, and overall quality of care.

The Role of Therapy and Medication in Adolescent PTSD & Trauma Treatment Centers

A combination of therapy and medication is effective in treating PTSD. Therapy provides a safe space for adolescent to talk about their experiences, process their emotions, and develop healthy coping strategies. On the other hand, medication can help manage specific symptoms like anxiety or depression, making it easier for your teenager to engage in therapy and function in their daily life.

Types of Therapies Offered by Residential Treatment Centers

The following are the most common therapies professionals may use to help your teen overcome PTSD and Trauma.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT therapy for teens is highly recommended for treating teen PTSD. It focuses on identifying negative thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors contributing to distressing symptoms. CBT benefits teens by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones and teaches them practical coping skills for processing trauma.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a specialized therapy designed to help your teen process and heal from trauma by encouraging them to briefly focus on the trauma while simultaneously experiencing guided eye movements and other bilateral simulations. It helps reduce the vividness and emotions associated with the traumatic experience. This type of therapy can help clients be less overwhelmed by the trauma and improve long-lasting healing.

Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy focuses on the mind body connections linked to our experiences. Somatic therapists utilize mind body practices that help to release the stored stress and ease tension within the body. This is done through guided exercises, breathing techniques, and gentle movements.

Medications

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been proven effective in treating PTSD in adults. On the contrary, there are no significant changes in the symptoms of PTSD in children. However, SSRIs may be useful for teenagers with co-occurring major depressive or anxiety disorders in addition to PTSD.

Prazosin is another medication that can help reduce symptoms of nightmares associated with PTSD. It is an alpha-blocker that works by relaxing the blood vessels so that the blood can flow through easily.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

During Teen DBT, the therapist teaches teens to regulate their aggressive or self-harming emotions using techniques like mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal communication. Through DBT, teens learn to cope with hard and strong emotions like self-harm behaviors and suicidal ideation and empower them with new positivity and healthy relationships with themselves and others.

Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT)

Supported by research studies published online and shown to be effective in treating PTSD in teens, ABFT focuses on repairing parents’ and teens bonding that may have been damaged due to the trauma. The therapist helps parents and teens express emotions constructively and listen empathetically. Teen ABFT in Arizona offers a path toward healing, stronger family bonds, and a brighter future for your child.

Adolescent Trauma Medications

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be useful for teenagers with co-occurring major depressive or anxiety disorders in addition to PTSD.

Prazosin is another medication that can help reduce symptoms of nightmares associated with PTSD. It is an alpha-blocker that works by relaxing the blood vessels so that the blood can flow through easily.

Talking to Your Teen About PTSD: What to Avoid”

  • Phrases like “It wasn’t that bad” or “Just get over it” can be insensitive and invalidate their experience.
  • Let them share what they’re comfortable with.
  • Focus on listening and understanding their perspective.
  • Avoid guaranteeing things like “Everything will be okay” or “It will never happen again.”
  • Don’t share your own traumatic experiences
  • Focus on offering support and understanding, not fixing them.
  • If they’re not ready to talk, respect their boundaries and let them know you’re there when they are.
  • If their symptoms are severe or impacting daily life, encourage them to seek professional help.

Nexus Teen Academy Residential Trauma Center

Your child’s well-being is of utmost importance as a parent, and seeking the best care for them can be challenging but vital to their mental health. PTSD is a complicated condition, but there are treatment options.

Nexus Teen Academy’s teen residential treatment center is a premier care program that helps teens recover from serious behavioral and mental health issues like PTSD. It is an intensive inpatient program located in Cave Creek, Arizona. The center offers a safe and serene environment where teenagers can focus on their recovery. We have highly trained professionals available round-the-clock to cater to the individual needs of each teenager. We utilize evidence-based modalities of treatment that equip the teens with skills to overcome their trauma. We have also partnered with Fusion Global Academy to provide customized academic support services to help teens stay on top of the schoolwork they’re missing while in treatment. If you are a concerned parent, call (480) 485-3424 and get the treatment process started.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can PTSD & Trauma be Cured in a Teen Residential Treatment Center?

Like many other mental health conditions, there is no definitive “cure” for PTSD. Rather, the residential treatment centers treat the condition by managing the symptoms.

2. How long does PTSD & Trauma last?

PTSD is a complicated condition, and its duration varies from different people. Some people experience it for a few months, while others can go up to several years. The duration depends on factors like the intensity of the trauma, proximity to the trauma, the social support system, the treatment options taken, or other co-occurring mental health disorders.

3. How does the center deal with students with a history of drug addiction?

Nexus Teen Academy’s residential trauma treatment program can also help teens with a history of drug addiction because it provides a structured environment with evidence-based and holistic treatment offerings. Nexus has programs meant for teens struggling with substance abuse in which they undergo rigorous therapy sessions, including individual, group, and family therapy. They are also taught coping skills to avoid the urge to use drugs.

4. What makes a Teen Residential Treatment Center different from a regular Therapy Center?

A teen residential treatment center differs from regular therapy because it offers higher care. Teenagers temporarily live in a facility away from their homes where they can focus on their recovery. The centers have structured programs and routines and also utilize various therapies to teach them valuable skills to cope with the symptoms of PTSD.

5. Do students attend school while in the program?

Students do not attend school physically during their treatment. Instead, educational services are offered as part of the treatment plan. The educational needs are tailored to each student, considering the academic challenges they may be facing.

6. Are there restrictions on the communication between students and their families?

Communication between students and their families is always encouraged, but communication restrictions depend on a center’s policy. Some centers restrict phone and internet access to provide a safe environment for the teen to recover because phones and the internet may have trauma triggers. Communication in many centers is maintained through scheduled visits, phone calls, and during family therapy sessions.

7. Can teenagers with PTSD & Trauma attend a residential treatment program without parental consent?

In many cases, permission from parents or guardians is required for a teen under 18 before they are admitted to a residential treatment program. An exception is when the teen has been emancipated.

8. What happens if a student doesn’t comply with the center’s rules?

If a student doesn’t comply with the rules, the center may take disciplinary measures depending on the level of defiance and the specific policies of the center. For minor issues, verbal warnings may be given to the teen. In some situations, the teen may lose privileges like access to electronics. The teen may also undergo additional therapy sessions. These measures are not meant to punish them but to make them accountable for their actions so that they do not interfere with the treatment of their peers.

9. Can PTSD again come back after undergoing residential treatment?

There is no guaranteed cure for PTSD, and some individuals may experience a return of symptoms after initial treatment. Nexus Teen Academy encourages parents to provide aftercare support to avoid recurrence.

10. What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?

Teen Trauma is the event itself, while PTSD in adolescence is a response to the event that can have long-lasting consequences.

11. What will happen if PTSD is not treated in adolescents?

Untreated PTSD in adolescents can have significant negative consequences:

  • Academic difficulties
  • Social difficulties
  • Mental health problems
  • Self-harm and suicide

11. How to help my child experiencing PTSD and Trauma?

Here are some ways parents or caregivers can support a child:

  • Take care of yourself
  • Educate yourself
  • Create a supportive environment
  • Listen without judgment
  • Validate their feelings
  • Promote healthy coping skills
  • Connect with support groups
  • Seek professional help
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