When many people think of trauma healing, inner child work may come to mind. However, the teenage years can be quite tumultuous. This is why it’s important to focus on healing your inner teenager too. As you begin exploring your teenage trauma, you can build a stronger path to recovery.
What Is Teenage Trauma?
Traumatic events and experiences are common during the teenage years. These events can lead to short-term effects like behavioral problems. They can also lead to long-term issues like psychological conditions and addiction.
According to a 2018 study published in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, a sample of U.S. adolescents aged 13 to 17 years old showed that 62% “had been exposed to at least one lifetime traumatic event.” The same sample showed that 19% had been exposed to three or more traumatic events.
When many people think of trauma, catastrophic events like abuse and natural disasters may come to mind. In actuality, trauma can look vastly different from person to person. This is especially true in the teenage years, which can be extremely difficult. Bullying, pressure to perform in school, and harsh peer influence can all be considered traumatic.
Effects of Teenage Trauma
The previously mentioned study also said that trauma exposure in adolescence is “associated with youth emotional and behavioral problems.” Issues like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, delinquency, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be common.
These issues can also be carried into the adult years. If you’ve been engaging in any type of self-defeating behavior as an adult, trauma could be the root cause.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that children and adolescents who experience trauma “are particularly susceptible to developing a substance use disorder later in life.” PTSD and other mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression, are also common for those who experienced teenage trauma.
Healing the Inner Teenager
If you’ve been struggling with PTSD, addiction, or any other effects of trauma, it may be time to explore healing your inner teenager.
This can be one of the deepest and most profound journeys you have ever embarked upon. However, re-traumatization is always a possibility. This is why it’s important to begin exploring teenage trauma with clinicians who are trained to help.
Trauma-specific programs, like the one at The Guest House, can help you overcome your trauma in a safe and supportive way.
Healing the Inner Teenager: Practices and Therapies
A traumatized inner teenager can cause you to create bad habits, be relentlessly self-critical, and more in your adult life. It’s also common to feel guilt or shame around your more tumultuous teenage years.
Many people think it’s easier to ignore these memories so they don’t have to deal with intense emotions, sadness, or pain. Unfortunately, you can’t heal your inner teenager without facing some tough memories head-on.
Talk Therapy
Inner teenager healing should be approached delicately. It’s usually easier to unravel your past wounds and memories in layers, rather than trying to approach it all at once.
Traditional talk therapies are an excellent way to help you begin peeling these layers back. Clinicians who are specifically trained in trauma healing can guide you through the process safely and effectively.
You may also want to explore group therapy to help you approach inner child healing. This type of therapy helps you process tough memories and wounds in a supportive environment with others who share similar struggles.
Holistic Therapies
Holistic therapies often allow you to heal in a deeper way than traditional therapies can alone.
According to a 2022 research review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “patients who are resistant to talk therapies and cognitive-based interventions often disengage from treatment.” On the other hand, when treatment takes a more holistic approach, it can improve outcomes and retain engagement.
Eastern holistic therapies like meditation and yoga have well-established track records for treating trauma. They can also help you regain a sense of inner peace by teaching you how to stay grounded in the present moment.
Another highly beneficial holistic therapy is known as somatic healing. This therapy utilizes light body movements to help you process trauma stored in the mind and body.
Healing the Inner Teenager at The Guest House
Trauma healing can be difficult to navigate on your own. At The Guest House, our trauma-specific program is here to help you through the journey of recovery in a safe and supportive environment.
Self-destructive behaviors and mental health disorders are often formed in response to trauma early in your life. This is why our program is designed to help you get to the root of your struggles so you can live a truly free and happy life.
At The Guest House, we offer a cutting-edge blend of traditional and holistic therapies. Here, you can explore fun and innovative treatments that also allow you to comprehensively heal your mind, body, and soul.
When you think about trauma recovery, healing your inner child may come to mind. However, healing the inner teenager is just as important, especially since these adolescent years can be among the most tumultuous of your life. At The Guest House, we believe that self-defeating behaviors like addiction and mental health disorders are often rooted in trauma. This is why we created our trauma-specific program to help you overcome difficult memories and wounds from your teenage years and beyond. Our cutting-edge blend of traditional and holistic therapies are here to help you heal your mind, body, and soul so you can find lasting success in recovery. Call us today at (855) 483-7800.