Therapy for Childhood Trauma: 10 Best Proven, Life-Changing Ways 2025

Childhood trauma affects millions of children and adults, but with the right therapeutic support, healing is not only possible—it’s probable. At Light Within Counseling, our group practice in Roseville, California, specializes in evidence-based therapy for childhood trauma, offering both in-person sessions and online therapy throughout California for adults.

We understand that reaching out for mental health professionals takes courage, and we’re here to make that journey as supportive and effective as possible. Our team of highly trained mental health professionals brings both advanced clinical expertise and a fresh, approachable perspective to childhood trauma treatment, helping children, teens, and adults move from surviving to thriving.

Understanding Childhood Trauma: More Common Than You Might Think

Childhood trauma encompasses any overwhelming traumatic events that disrupt a child’s sense of safety and security. These experiences, often referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are far more common than many people realize and can lead to various mental health conditions if left unaddressed.

Research shows that more than two-thirds of children experience at least one traumatic event by age 16, and approximately one in seven children face childhood abuse or neglect each year. These statistics highlight why specialized trauma treatment is so crucial for healing and recovery, particularly when addressing childhood trauma that can impact mental health throughout a person’s lifetime.

Early childhood trauma, in particular, can have profound effects on brain development and future mental health. When traumatic events occur during critical developmental periods, they can alter how the brain processes stress and emotions, potentially leading to post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders later in life.

Types of Childhood Trauma We Treat

At our Roseville therapy office, we help clients process various types of traumatic experiences, including:

Physical and Emotional Trauma:

  • Physical abuse or neglect that threatens a child’s physical safety
  • Emotional abuse or chronic criticism that damages self-worth
  • Sexual abuse or inappropriate contact
  • Witnessing domestic violence and its traumatic impact

Loss and Separation:

  • Death of a parent or caregiver
  • Divorce or family separation affecting a child’s life
  • Foster care placement
  • Sudden medical crises

Environmental Trauma:

  • Community violence exposure
  • Serious accidents or injuries
  • Natural disasters
  • Household dysfunction involving substance abuse or mental illness

Understanding child trauma is essential because each person’s experience with childhood trauma is unique, which is why we never take a one-size-fits-all approach to treating childhood trauma. Our mental health professionals work closely with each client to develop a personalized childhood trauma treatment plan that addresses their specific needs and goals while considering how childhood trauma affects their current functioning.

The Long-Term Impact of Unresolved Childhood Trauma

When children experience traumatic events, their developing brains adapt to survive in what feels like an unsafe world. The brain’s alarm system (amygdala) becomes hyperactive, while the reasoning center (prefrontal cortex) may struggle to develop fully. Without proper trauma treatment, these adaptations can persist into adulthood, leading to unresolved childhood trauma that continues to impact mental health and daily functioning.

How Childhood Trauma Affects Development

Mental Health and Emotional Well-being:

  • Increased risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder
  • Higher likelihood of experiencing anxiety and depression
  • Difficulty regulating emotions and managing emotional responses
  • Challenges with trust and healthy relationships
  • Development of various mental health conditions

Physical Health:

  • Chronic pain or unexplained physical symptoms
  • Sleep disturbances and nightmares
  • Increased risk of autoimmune disorders
  • Higher rates of cardiovascular disease
  • Chronic stress affecting overall health

Behavioral Patterns:

  • Hypervigilance or constant alertness
  • Difficulty concentrating and focusing
  • Avoidance of certain situations or trauma-related triggers
  • Challenges with emotional intimacy
  • Development of unhealthy coping mechanisms

The encouraging news is that the brain’s neuroplasticity—its ability to form new neural pathways—means healing from childhood trauma is possible at any age. This is why we’re passionate about providing trauma therapy that works with the brain’s natural healing capacity to address childhood trauma and its lasting effects.

Signs of Unresolved Childhood Trauma in Adults

Many adults seek therapy for mental health symptoms without initially recognizing their connection to past trauma. Common signs of unresolved childhood trauma include:

  • Persistent anxiety or panic disorder
  • Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
  • Low self esteem and negative self-talk
  • Emotional distress that seems disproportionate to current situations
  • PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks or intrusive memories
  • Behavioral symptoms like aggression or withdrawal
  • Depressive symptoms and feelings of hopelessness
  • Substance abuse or other addictive behaviors

Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward healing from childhood trauma and developing healthier coping mechanisms.

Evidence-Based Trauma Therapies We Offer in Roseville

At Light Within Counseling, we use proven, evidence-based treatment approaches to help our clients heal from childhood trauma. Our team has advanced training in specialized trauma therapies that are specifically designed to address the complex effects of early traumatic experiences and treat children, teens, and adults who have experienced various forms of trauma.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is one of our most effective tools for processing traumatic memories and addressing childhood trauma. This therapy uses bilateral stimulation—typically through guided eye movements—to help the brain reprocess stuck traumatic memories in a healthier way. Many clients find EMDR particularly helpful because it doesn’t require them to talk in detail about their traumatic experiences.

During EMDR sessions, we guide you through a structured eight-phase process that helps transform how traumatic memories are stored in your brain. This movement desensitization and reprocessing approach can lead to significant symptom relief and a greater sense of emotional stability. EMDR is particularly effective for treating childhood trauma because it works directly with how the brain processes and stores traumatic experiences.

The desensitization and reprocessing EMDR method has been extensively researched and proven effective for treating various forms of childhood trauma, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and other traumatic events. Many clients who have struggled with unresolved childhood trauma find that EMDR helps them process these experiences without becoming overwhelmed by trauma exposure during sessions.

Brainspotting

Brainspotting is another powerful trauma therapy we offer that works by identifying specific eye positions (called “brainspots”) that access unprocessed traumatic memories stored in the subcortical brain. This approach can be particularly effective for clients dealing with complex trauma, childhood trauma exposure, and those who feel stuck or who haven’t found relief through traditional talk therapy.

Our therapists are specially trained in Brainspotting techniques and often find it helpful for clients dealing with childhood trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. Like EMDR, Brainspotting allows healing to happen without requiring detailed verbal processing of traumatic events, making it an excellent option for treating childhood trauma.

Play Therapy for Children

Children often communicate their experiences and emotions more naturally through play than through words. Our play therapy approach creates a safe, supportive environment where young clients can express themselves freely and work through difficult experiences at their own pace while feeling physically safe and emotionally supported.

We use various play therapy techniques to treat children who have experienced trauma, including:

  • Therapeutic games and activities
  • Sand tray therapy
  • Art and creative expression
  • Storytelling and narrative work

Play therapy is particularly effective for treating childhood trauma because it allows traumatized children to process their experiences in a way that feels natural and non-threatening. This approach helps children develop coping skills and healthy coping mechanisms while addressing how childhood trauma affects their development and behavior.

childhood trauma statistics infographic - therapy for childhood trauma

Who We Help: Children, Teens, and Adults

Our Roseville therapy practice welcomes clients of all ages, though we specialize in working with individuals aged 12 and older. Our associates particularly enjoy working with children and teens, making our practice an excellent fit for clients as young as 6 who need help addressing childhood trauma and its effects.

Children (Ages 6-12)

Young children who have experienced traumatic events often benefit from play-based approaches that allow them to express themselves without the pressure of verbal communication. We create a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe to explore their feelings and develop healthy coping skills to address how childhood trauma affects their daily lives.

Working with traumatized children requires specialized understanding of child trauma and how it impacts development. Our therapists are trained to recognize signs of childhood trauma and use age-appropriate interventions to help children heal and develop resilience.

Teenagers (Ages 13-18)

Adolescence can be particularly challenging for teens who have experienced childhood trauma. Our younger therapist team, mostly in their 30s, brings a fresh perspective that often resonates well with teenage clients. We help teens develop emotional regulation skills, build healthy relationships, and process their experiences in age-appropriate ways while addressing any mental health symptoms that may have developed.

Treating childhood trauma in adolescents often involves helping them understand how past trauma affects their current behavior and relationships, while developing healthy coping mechanisms for managing emotional responses and trauma symptoms.

Adults

Many adults seek therapy to address childhood trauma that has affected their relationships, career, or overall mental health. We provide both in-person therapy in Roseville and online therapy throughout California for adult clients, making it convenient to access the support you need to treat PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions related to past trauma.

Adult survivors of childhood trauma often struggle with unresolved childhood trauma that manifests as relationship difficulties, emotional distress, or other mental health conditions. Our approach helps adults understand how childhood trauma affects their current functioning and develop new coping mechanisms for healing.

Common Trauma Symptoms We Address

Childhood trauma can manifest in many different ways, and trauma symptoms often change as children grow into adolescence and adulthood. At our practice, we commonly work with clients experiencing various mental health symptoms related to their traumatic experiences:

Anxiety-Related Symptoms:

  • Persistent worry or fear related to past trauma
  • Panic attacks and panic disorder
  • Social anxiety stemming from childhood experiences
  • Specific phobias related to traumatic events
  • Obsessive-compulsive behaviors

Depression and Mood Issues:

  • Persistent sadness or emotional numbness
  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Feelings of hopelessness related to past trauma
  • Mood swings and emotional instability
  • Difficulty experiencing joy or positive emotions

PTSD Symptoms and Trauma-Related Issues:

  • Flashbacks or intrusive traumatic memories
  • Nightmares or sleep disturbances
  • Avoidance of trauma reminders
  • Hypervigilance and feeling constantly on guard
  • Dissociation or feeling disconnected from reality

Relationship and Social Difficulties:

  • Trust issues stemming from childhood trauma
  • Fear of abandonment rooted in early experiences
  • Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
  • Conflict avoidance or aggressive behavioral symptoms
  • Challenges with emotional and physical safety in relationships

Physical and Somatic Symptoms:

  • Chronic pain related to traumatic stress
  • Unexplained physical symptoms
  • Sleep disturbances and fatigue
  • Digestive issues and headaches
  • Other physical symptoms connected to past trauma

Remember, experiencing these trauma symptoms doesn’t mean you’re broken or damaged—it means your brain adapted to protect you during difficult times. Therapy for childhood trauma can help you develop new, healthier patterns of thinking and relating while addressing how childhood trauma affects your current life.

Our Approach: Compassionate, Personalized Care

What sets Light Within Counseling apart is our commitment to creating a therapeutic environment that feels safe, supportive, and genuinely caring. We believe therapy for childhood trauma doesn’t have to be intimidating, and our approach reflects that philosophy while maintaining the highest standards of professional mental health care.

Getting Started: Our Intake Process

We’ve designed our intake process to be as smooth and welcoming as possible for those seeking help with childhood trauma. You can either self-schedule directly with one of our mental health professionals through our online scheduling system, or you can call, text, email, or fill out our online contact form. Our coordinator will help match you with a therapist who’s the best fit for your specific needs in treating childhood trauma.

Before your first session, you’ll complete paperwork online, including informed consent and background information about your trauma history. This allows us to use our initial session for what matters most—getting to know you and understanding what brings you to therapy for childhood trauma.

During your intake session, we focus on:

  • Building a strong therapeutic relationship and establishing trust
  • Understanding your story and current challenges related to childhood trauma
  • Exploring your goals for childhood trauma treatment
  • Beginning to identify the root causes of your concerns
  • Creating a safe, non-judgmental space for healing from childhood trauma

What to Expect in Ongoing Therapy

Once we’ve established a therapeutic relationship, your sessions become more focused and collaborative in addressing childhood trauma. We’ll work together to create a personalized childhood trauma treatment plan using evidence-based approaches that match your specific needs and preferences for healing.

Our sessions are structured yet flexible, always responsive to what you need on any given day. We regularly check in on your progress in treating childhood trauma, celebrate your growth, and adjust goals as needed. Whether we’re working with you individually, with your child, or with your family, you can count on us to be compassionate, honest, and committed to your healing journey from childhood trauma.

We don’t believe in surface-level solutions when treating childhood trauma. Our goal is to help you get to the root of the issues you’re facing so you can experience deep, lasting change that improves your quality of life and addresses how childhood trauma affects your relationships and daily functioning.

Supporting Families: Beyond Individual Therapy

Childhood trauma affects not just the individual who experienced it, but often impacts entire family systems and the development of healthy relationships. That’s why we also offer parenting and co-parenting therapy to help families navigate the complexities of supporting a child who has experienced trauma while addressing how childhood trauma affects family dynamics.

Creating Trauma-Informed Homes

We work with parents and caregivers to understand how childhood trauma affects children’s behavior and development, and we provide practical strategies for creating a healing environment at home that promotes both emotional and physical safety. This might include:

  • Establishing predictable routines that help children feel safe
  • Learning to recognize and respond to trauma triggers
  • Developing effective communication strategies for discussing difficult topics
  • Creating appropriate boundaries while maintaining warmth and connection
  • Understanding how childhood trauma affects brain development and behavior

Supporting the Whole Family

When one family member has experienced childhood trauma, it often affects everyone in the household and can impact the family’s ability to maintain healthy relationships. We provide support and guidance to help families heal together, strengthen their relationships, and develop resilience as a unit while addressing how childhood trauma affects family functioning.

therapeutic approaches comparison chart - therapy for childhood trauma

Trauma Recovery: What Healing Looks Like

Recovery from childhood trauma is rarely a straight line, and healing looks different for everyone. However, there are some common signs of progress that we often see in our clients as they work through their healing process:

Emotional Regulation and Mental Health:

  • Increased ability to manage difficult emotional responses
  • Fewer intense reactions to triggers related to past trauma
  • Better understanding of how childhood trauma affects emotions
  • Improved mood stability and reduced depressive symptoms
  • Development of healthy coping mechanisms

Relationship Improvements:

  • Greater capacity for trust and intimacy in healthy relationships
  • Improved boundaries in personal and professional relationships
  • Better communication skills when discussing difficult topics
  • Stronger sense of self-worth and reduced low self esteem
  • Ability to maintain physical safety and emotional security

Physical and Overall Well-being:

  • Better sleep quality and reduced nightmares
  • Decreased physical symptoms related to traumatic stress
  • Increased energy levels and overall vitality
  • Improved overall mental health and life satisfaction
  • Reduced chronic stress and its physical effects

Life Functioning:

  • Better concentration and focus in daily activities
  • Improved performance at work or school
  • Increased engagement in meaningful activities
  • Greater sense of hope and purpose in life
  • Ability to develop coping skills for future challenges

Remember, healing from childhood trauma takes time, and everyone’s healing process is different. We’re here to support you every step of the way, celebrating your progress and helping you navigate any challenges that arise as you address how childhood trauma affects your life.

Practical Support: Coping Skills and Home Strategies

While therapy provides the foundation for healing from childhood trauma, we also equip our clients with practical tools they can use in their daily lives. These coping skills help extend the benefits of therapy beyond our sessions and give you confidence in managing difficult moments related to your trauma history.

Grounding Techniques for Managing Trauma Symptoms

When trauma symptoms arise, grounding techniques can help you reconnect with the present moment and feel more stable. We teach various approaches including:

  • The 5-4-3-2-1 sensory technique for managing anxiety
  • Deep breathing exercises to calm the nervous system
  • Progressive muscle relaxation for physical tension
  • Mindfulness practices to stay present during difficult emotions

Emotional Regulation Skills

Learning to recognize, understand, and manage emotional responses is a crucial part of childhood trauma recovery. We help clients develop coping skills including:

  • Emotion identification and naming skills
  • Healthy ways to express feelings related to past trauma
  • Self-soothing techniques for managing emotional distress
  • Stress management strategies for daily life

Building Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential for long-term recovery from childhood trauma. We work with clients to build resilience through:

  • Identifying personal strengths and resources
  • Developing a support network of healthy relationships
  • Creating meaning from difficult experiences
  • Setting and achieving realistic goals for recovery

Frequently Asked Questions About Childhood Trauma Treatment

How long does trauma treatment typically take?

The length of therapy for childhood trauma varies significantly depending on several factors, including the type and severity of traumatic events experienced, the client’s age, their support system, and their individual healing process. Some clients see significant improvement in treating childhood trauma within a few months, while others benefit from longer-term childhood trauma treatment.

For specific types of trauma therapy like EMDR or Brainspotting, some clients experience relief from trauma symptoms relatively quickly, sometimes within 8-12 sessions. However, complex trauma or multiple traumatic experiences often require more comprehensive treatment to fully address how childhood trauma affects various aspects of life.

We review progress regularly with our clients so you always know where you stand in your childhood trauma treatment and can make informed decisions about your continued care.

Can younger children really benefit from therapy for childhood trauma?

Absolutely. Children are remarkably resilient, and with appropriate therapeutic support, they can heal from traumatic experiences and develop healthy coping skills. The key is using age-appropriate approaches that work with how children naturally communicate and process traumatic events.

Play therapy, in particular, allows young children to work through difficult experiences without the pressure of having to verbalize their trauma. Many children find this approach both helpful and enjoyable while learning to develop coping skills for managing their emotional responses.

What if talking about childhood trauma feels too overwhelming?

We completely understand this concern, and you’re not alone in feeling this way about addressing childhood trauma. The good news is that many of our trauma therapies don’t require detailed verbal processing of traumatic events. Approaches like EMDR and Brainspotting can facilitate healing from childhood trauma without requiring you to talk extensively about what happened.

We always go at your pace when treating childhood trauma and never push you to share more than you’re comfortable with. Building safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship comes first, and healing often happens naturally once you feel secure in addressing your trauma history.

How do you help families dealing with childhood trauma?

Family involvement can significantly improve outcomes for children and teens who have experienced traumatic events. We work with families to:

  • Understand how childhood trauma affects behavior and development
  • Develop trauma-informed parenting strategies
  • Improve communication within the family about difficult topics
  • Address any secondary trauma that family members might be experiencing
  • Strengthen family relationships and support systems

We also offer co-parenting therapy for families who are navigating divorce or separation while dealing with the effects of childhood trauma on their child’s life.

family practicing mindfulness together - therapy for childhood trauma

Taking the Next Step: Getting Started with Trauma Therapy in Roseville

If you’re considering therapy for childhood trauma—whether for yourself, your child, or a family member—taking that first step can feel overwhelming. We want you to know that seeking help from mental health professionals is a sign of strength, not weakness, and we’re here to make the process as comfortable as possible.

Scheduling Your First Appointment

Getting started with childhood trauma treatment at Light Within Counseling is simple and straightforward. You can:

  • Self-schedule online through our website at lightwithinlmft.org
  • Call our office and speak with our coordinator
  • Fill out our online contact form
  • Text or email us with your questions about treating childhood trauma

Our coordinator will help match you with the mental health professional who’s the best fit for your specific needs in addressing childhood trauma. We understand that the therapeutic relationship is crucial to successful outcomes in treating childhood trauma, and we want to make sure you feel comfortable and supported from the very beginning.

What About Cost and Insurance?

We work with out-of-network benefits and can help you understand your reimbursement options for childhood trauma treatment. While we know that cost can be a concern when seeking mental health care, we encourage you to reach out to discuss your specific situation. Many insurance plans offer some coverage for out-of-network mental health services, and we’re happy to provide the documentation you need for reimbursement.

For specific pricing information regarding therapy for childhood trauma and to understand your options, please contact our office directly. We believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health professionals and childhood trauma treatment, and we’ll work with you to find a solution that fits your budget.

Online Therapy Throughout California

For adults who prefer the convenience of online therapy or who live outside the Roseville area, we offer secure telehealth sessions throughout California for treating childhood trauma. Our online therapy platform is HIPAA-compliant and provides the same high-quality care as our in-person sessions for addressing mental health conditions related to past trauma.

Online therapy can be particularly beneficial for adults dealing with childhood trauma who might feel more comfortable starting therapy from the safety and privacy of their own home while working on developing healthy relationships and coping mechanisms.

Moving Forward: From Childhood Trauma to Healing

Childhood trauma may have shaped your past, but it doesn’t have to determine your future. With the right therapeutic support, evidence-based treatment approaches, and a commitment to healing, recovery from childhood trauma is not only possible—it’s probable.

At Light Within Counseling, we’re honored to walk alongside our clients on their healing journey from childhood trauma. Our team of compassionate, highly trained mental health professionals brings both clinical expertise and genuine care to every session. We believe in your capacity for healing from childhood trauma, and we’re here to provide the support and tools you need to move from surviving to thriving.

Whether you’re a parent concerned about your child who has experienced traumatic events, a teenager struggling with the effects of early childhood trauma, or an adult ready to address childhood trauma that continues to impact your mental health and relationships, we’re here to help. Our Roseville therapy office provides a safe, welcoming space where healing from childhood trauma can begin, and our online therapy options ensure that geographic location doesn’t become a barrier to getting the mental health support you need.

Remember, seeking help for childhood trauma is one of the bravest and most important steps you can take for yourself or your loved one. You don’t have to face this healing journey alone—we’re here to provide the expertise, support, and hope you need to move forward into a healthier, more fulfilling future free from the limiting effects of unresolved childhood trauma.

Ready to take that first step toward healing from childhood trauma? Visit our website to learn more about our team and services, or contact us today to schedule your initial consultation for childhood trauma treatment. Your healing journey starts here, and we’re honored to be part of it.