Childhood Trauma Therapist in Austin, TX

The honest answer is that it depends. It depends on the type and severity of trauma as well as the length of time the individual was exposed to these conditions. Things like play therapy and EMDR can help as well as having a supportive system around them. Children might not forget what happened to them but it doesn’t have to dominate their experience of life.

Trauma is impactful at any age even if kids are pre-verbal. Trauma from 0-6 can affect cognitive development. This has to do with things like neural pathways, affecting emotional regulation, attachment, and cognitive functions. Most commonly we tend to see things tied to behavior from children during this age (regressive behaviors, excessive crying, aggression, or withdrawal in response to trauma). This also affects attachment and the ability to have secure attachments later in life due to not having that as a child. During ages 7-12 we often see cognitive difficulties in concentration, learning, and school performance and can lead to social withdrawal, difficulty in making friends, and trust issues. Anxiety, depression, and other behavioral issues also may be present during this age. 13 and older tend to show the same as above but it can become more deeply seeded as their identity development takes place. You might witness more risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, promiscuity, or delinquency, as a way to cope with trauma.

The brain is an amazing thing and part of the way it can help us is that it blacks out memories that are too charged or traumatic. It doesn’t mean this doesn’t affect us or that we won’t remember them later, but this can be a way for our brain to compensate for something terrible that happened.

Abuse and neglect, but also things that are easy to minimize: a parent with addiction or untreated mental illness, chronic criticism, bullying, medical trauma, or growing up without emotional safety. If it still affects you, it counts.

Our clinicians use EMDR, Internal Family Systems, somatic therapy, and attachment-focused work. These approaches help with memories that feel stuck without requiring you to relive everything.

No. Many people have gaps, and body-based and parts-based approaches work with what shows up now rather than requiring a clear narrative.

Yes. PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, and depression are covered conditions. Many of our clinicians are in network with Aetna, EHN, Harbor Health, Nomi Health, and Sana.

Yes. Video sessions are available anywhere in Texas. Some clients prefer in person for the deeper stretches of the work.

Longer than therapy for a single event. Most people work with a therapist for six months to a couple of years, with the pace set by what feels safe.