VIRTUAL CARE THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY & OHIO
Trauma-Focused CBT for Children & Teens
Evidence-based care grounded in safety, connection, and hope.
Trauma can affect how a young person understands themselves, relates to others, and experiences the world around them.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy—often called TF-CBT—is a structured, evidence-based approach for children and teens impacted by trauma. It also thoughtfully involves parents or caregivers in the healing process.
At Lionheart, the work is never rushed. We begin by building safety, strengthening coping skills, and understanding your child’s needs before moving toward deeper parts of their story.
Trauma Does Not Always Look Like Trauma
Children and teens do not always have words for what they have experienced. Distress may appear through changes in behavior, emotions, relationships, school, or everyday routines.
You may notice:
— Anxiety, fear, or persistent worry
— Irritability, anger, or emotional overwhelm
— Avoidance of people, places, or reminders
— Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
— Shame, guilt, or negative beliefs about themselves
— Withdrawal from relationships or activities
— Feeling constantly alert or unsafe
— Physical complaints without a clear explanation
These responses are not evidence that something is wrong with your child. They may be understandable ways their mind and body have learned to respond to something painful.
What Is Trauma-Focused CBT?
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based, phase-based treatment that helps children and teens address trauma-related thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Parents or caregivers participate alongside them in ways appropriate to the young person’s age and needs.
Build Safety and Skills
Therapy begins with understanding trauma responses and developing practical skills for relaxation, emotional regulation, communication, and managing difficult thoughts.
Make Sense of the Experience
When the young person is ready, therapy provides gradual, supported opportunities to process what happened. They are not expected to share everything immediately or before sufficient safety has been established.
Strengthen Connection
Caregivers learn ways to respond supportively, strengthen communication, and help the young person practice new skills. Joint sessions may be included when clinically appropriate.
Structured Care, Personalized to Your Child
TF-CBT provides a thoughtful framework, but no child or family should feel fitted into a formula.
I draw upon my training and experience in TF-CBT while considering each young person’s age, development, neurodivergence, relationships, culture, faith, strengths, and specific experiences. Caregivers are welcomed as thoughtful partners, with involvement adapted to the child’s needs and stage of treatment.
We will also consider whether virtual therapy offers the safety, privacy, and engagement your child needs. If TF-CBT or telehealth is not the best clinical fit, I will be honest about that and help you consider another path forward.
Questions Parents Often Ask
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No. TF-CBT begins with safety, trust, education, and practical coping skills. Trauma processing is approached gradually and only after your child has developed sufficient preparation and support. Your child will not be expected to disclose everything immediately.
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TF-CBT includes regular caregiver-only work alongside the child’s individual work. During these parallel sessions, caregivers learn about trauma responses, practice many of the same coping and communication skills, strengthen supportive parenting strategies, and consider how to respond to trauma reminders and difficult behaviors.
Planned caregiver-child sessions may also be included to practice communication, share parts of the child’s therapeutic work when appropriate, and strengthen safety and connection. The exact structure is adapted to the child’s age, needs, relationships, and circumstances.
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TF-CBT is structured and generally time-limited, but there is no universal timeline. The pace depends on your child’s needs, history, readiness, caregiver participation, and response to treatment. We will discuss recommendations as the work progresses.
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Item descIt can be effective through secure video therapy when telehealth is a good clinical fit. We will consider your child’s age, attention, privacy, safety, comfort with technology, and ability to engage before deciding together.ription
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Not necessarily. A consultation and assessment help determine whether TF-CBT, another therapeutic approach, or a different level of support would best serve your child and family.
Begin with a Conversation
You do not need to know whether TF-CBT is the right fit before reaching out.
A complimentary consultation gives us space to discuss what your child is experiencing, answer your initial questions, and consider whether this approach may best serve your child and family.
You simply need a thoughtful place to begin.