Help your child feel safer, cope with distress, and reconnect with every day life.
Maybe bedtime has become a battle, school feels harder, or your child avoids things they used to enjoy. You may be wondering when to give them space, how to respond to big emotions, or whether talking about what happened will help.
We take the time to understand your child’s experiences and your concerns so treatment can address what is getting in the way of daily life.
These changes can have several causes. An initial appointment helps clarify what support is needed.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents experiencing PTSD or other trauma-related difficulties. It combines coping skills, gradual work with trauma memories, and support from a safe caregiver.
Activities and conversations are adapted to your child’s age and developmental needs.
Your child learns to recognize emotions, manage distress, and examine thoughts connected to what happened, including guilt or self-blame.
You learn about trauma reactions, practice supportive responses, and build ways to help your child use their skills at home.
Help your child work toward memories and reminders feeling less overwhelming.
Work toward easier participation in school, friendships, and family activities.
Build practical ways to support your child through difficult emotions and strengthen communication.
TF-CBT includes time with your child, time with a safe caregiver, and joint sessions when appropriate. Your therapist will discuss the schedule, goals, and practice between appointments.
They do not need to arrive ready to explain everything. The therapist helps them build skills and gradually work with trauma-related thoughts and memories using developmentally appropriate activities.
Learn about trauma reactions and practice skills for emotions, thoughts, and behavior.
Gradually process trauma memories and beliefs, with support matched to your child’s development.
Practice communication, support recovery at home, and plan for future challenges.
With support for you along the way.
If the effects of trauma are making daily life harder for your child, reach out to ask about TF-CBT at UCPS. We can help you understand the next steps toward care.
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, or TF-CBT, is an evidence-based treatment for children and teens experiencing difficulties after trauma. It combines coping skills, gradual trauma processing, and caregiver support to help young people manage distress and develop a greater sense of safety.
TF-CBT is designed for children and adolescents ages 3–18. Activities and language are adapted to the child’s developmental level. Younger children may learn through play, drawing, and simple exercises, while teenagers may use discussion and written activities.
TF-CBT can help children and teens affected by abuse, violence, serious accidents, medical trauma, disasters, or traumatic loss. It can address a single traumatic event or multiple experiences. Treatment suitability depends on how those experiences are affecting the child, rather than the event alone.
No. A child does not need a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis to benefit from TF-CBT. Treatment may also address trauma-related anxiety, depression, shame, avoidance, and behavioral difficulties. A clinician can assess your child’s symptoms and recommend an appropriate approach.
TF-CBT uses cognitive behavioral therapy skills within a structured treatment specifically designed for childhood trauma. In addition to coping skills, it includes gradual processing of traumatic experiences, work with a supportive caregiver, and safety skills. Supportive counseling may provide emotional support without following this trauma-specific treatment model.
Processing traumatic experiences is part of TF-CBT, but it happens gradually. Early treatment emphasizes understanding trauma reactions and building coping skills. The therapist then helps your child approach difficult memories in a developmentally appropriate way, which may include talking, drawing, or writing.
Yes. A safe, supportive parent or caregiver typically participates in TF-CBT. Caregiver sessions help adults understand trauma reactions, practice supportive responses, and reinforce coping skills at home. Treatment generally includes separate child and caregiver sessions, with joint sessions when appropriate.
TF-CBT commonly involves approximately 12–20 sessions, although treatment may range from 8–25 sessions. Children with more complex needs may require additional time. Your clinician will discuss the expected treatment plan and review progress throughout care.
TF-CBT can reduce trauma-related distress, anxiety, depression, and behavioral difficulties. Children learn skills for managing strong emotions and responding to reminders of trauma. Caregivers learn ways to support recovery and improve communication. Progress varies depending on the child’s needs and circumstances.
Contact Utah Center for Psychological Services to ask about TF-CBT treatment in Salt Lake City. Our intake team can discuss your child’s needs, current clinician availability, and next steps. You can also ask about insurance participation and appointment options before beginning treatment.
