Trauma Therapy for Kids & Teens in Littleton, CO

Helping Your Child Heal from Trauma, Dysregulation, and Emotional Overwhelm

Watching your child struggle with big emotions, chronic meltdowns, or emotional shutdowns can be one of the hardest parts of parenting—especially when you suspect trauma may be part of the story. Whether your child has experienced a major event, including early-in-life trauma, or is overwhelmed by ongoing stress, trauma-focused therapy offers a safe space for healing, regulation, and reconnection.

Kids and teens don’t always have the words to express what they’ve been through. Trauma often shows up in behaviors: emotional outbursts, withdrawal, nightmares, panic, aggression, or deep fatigue. You may hear comments like, “They’re just being dramatic,” or “They’re so moody lately,” when in reality, your child’s nervous system is stuck in survival mode.

As a trauma therapist and Certified Synergetic Play Therapist in Littleton, CO, I specialize in working with children and teens experiencing chronic dysregulation, emotional overwhelm, and signs of trauma—including self-harm or suicidal thoughts. I help kids gently reconnect with their bodies, build tools for safety and regulation, and begin processing experiences that feel too big to hold alone.

Signs of Trauma or Chronic Dysregulation in Children & Teens

Trauma and nervous system dysregulation don’t always look how you’d expect. Symptoms may include:

• Frequent meltdowns or outbursts

• Chronic irritability, anger, or aggression

• Shutting down or emotionally “checking out”

• Sleep disturbances or recurring nightmares

• Physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches, etc.) without a clear cause

• Clinginess or heightened separation anxiety

• Perfectionism or a fear of doing something wrong

• Self-harm or expressing suicidal ideation

• Difficulty concentrating or sitting still

• Emotional numbness or flat affect

These behaviors aren’t attention-seeking—they’re nervous system responses to overwhelm, fear, and pain.

What Trauma Therapy Looks Like

In my approach, healing trauma starts with helping your child feel safe again—both in their body and in the therapy space. I use a combination of play therapy, somatic (body-based) work, and neuroscience-informed approaches to gently support emotional regulation and nervous system healing. The basis of all of my work, especially trauma-focused work, is developing a safe, compassionate, and supportive therapeutic relationship so kids and teens can start coming out of their shells and begin the work of healing.

Each child’s journey is unique. Therapy may include:

• Non-directive play therapy to allow safe emotional expression and trauma integration

• Mind-body activities to support nervous system regulation

• Creative arts and movement to externalize overwhelming experiences

• Skill-building for emotional expression, coping, and self-regulation

• Caregiver involvement to support connection and safety at home

For teens, sessions may include talk therapy, creative modalities, and gentle exploration of self-harming thoughts or behaviors in a nonjudgmental, supportive environment to increase safety. No matter your child’s age or developmental stage, sessions meet them where they’re and follows their pace—they are in control now.

What You Can Expect After Therapy

Over time, trauma therapy can help your child move from survival to resilience. You may begin to see:

• Fewer emotional outbursts and more consistent regulation

• Greater confidence and emotional expression

• Better sleep, focus, and physical well-being

• Decreased self-harming behaviors and improved coping skills

• Reconnection with joy, curiosity, and self-worth

• Improved communication and relationships at home and school

Therapy doesn’t erase the past—but it helps your child rewrite the story they carry, feel safer in their body, and move forward with more peace and connection.

Conditions Trauma Therapy Can Help With

• Post-traumatic stress and complex trauma

• Emotional dysregulation and chronic meltdowns

• Self-harm and suicidal ideation

• Anxiety, panic attacks, and chronic fear

• Attachment challenges and relationship stress

• Sensory overwhelm and shutdown responses

• Grief, loss, and life transitions

• Experiences of bullying, divorce, or family conflict

How Therapy Works

Sessions are typically held weekly or biweekly to provide consistency and structure. I work in-person in my Littleton, CO office. Sessions are 40 minutes with your child, followed by a 10-minute caregiver consultation to share progress and give you tools for support at home. You’ll receive visuals, handouts, and personalized guidance as part of the process.

Session Fee: $155
Sliding Scale: Limited spots are available—please reach out to ask about reduced-fee options or local resources for free counseling.

A Path Toward Healing

Trauma-focused therapy offers your child or teen the space to feel safe, seen, and supported—sometimes for the first time in a long time. Together, we’ll work to restore their sense of safety, build resilience, and help them thrive emotionally, socially, and within your family system.

If your child is struggling with trauma, chronic dysregulation, suicidal ideation, or self-harming behaviors, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation today. Let’s begin the journey toward healing—together.