Trauma & EMDR Therapy
Specialized Child & Teen Therapy for Trauma and EMDR in Jenkintown, PA and Wellesley, MA
Helping Children and Teens Heal from Trauma and Move Forward with Confidence
At The Center for Family Empowerment, we provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy for children, teens, young adults, and families who have experienced trauma or overwhelming life events. Whether your child is struggling after a single distressing event or the effects of ongoing adversity, our clinicians help children process difficult experiences, strengthen resilience, and regain a sense of safety and confidence.
Our therapists utilize evidence-based approaches including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play therapy, parent coaching, and family-centered interventions tailored to each child's unique needs.
You Might Be Here Because...
Trauma doesn't always look the way people expect. Some people become withdrawn or anxious. Others become angry, impulsive, or emotionally overwhelmed. Many individuals don't have the words to explain what they're experiencing—they simply begin acting differently.
You or your child may have survived experiences such as:
• A car accident or other frightening accident • A serious illness, hospitalization, or medical procedure
• Bullying or ongoing peer conflict • The death of a loved one or traumatic grief • Divorce, separation, or significant changes within the family
• Witnessing violence or another frightening event • Abuse, neglect, or other adverse childhood experiences • Sexual assault • Community violence or feeling unsafe • Attachment disruptions, foster care, or adoption-related challenges • Ongoing stress that has left them feeling overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted
You may notice:
• Becoming more anxious, fearful, or easily overwhelmed • Having nightmares or difficulty sleeping
• Avoiding certain places, people, or situations • Becoming unusually irritable, angry, or emotionally reactive • Seeming constantly "on edge" or easily startled • Having difficulty concentrating at school • Replaying or talking about a distressing event repeatedly—or refusing to talk about it at all • Regressing to behaviors they had previously outgrown • Becoming withdrawn from family, friends, or activities they once enjoyed
Does any of this sound familiar?
Your child isn't acting like themselves, and you're not sure why.
They seem stuck in fear, sadness, or anger after something difficult happened.
Everyday situations remind them of a painful experience.
You feel like your family is constantly trying to help your child feel safe again, but nothing seems to last.
You worry that what they've experienced will continue to affect their confidence, relationships, or daily life.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Children respond to trauma in many different ways, and healing doesn't always happen on its own. With specialized, evidence-based treatment, children can process difficult experiences, develop healthy coping skills, and move forward with greater confidence and resilience.
Our Approach
At The Center for Family Empowerment, we believe trauma treatment begins with safety, trust, and connection. Every child experiences trauma differently. Before recommending treatment, we take the time to understand your child's experiences, developmental stage, strengths, family relationships, and current challenges. From there, we develop an individualized treatment plan that supports healing while respecting your child's readiness and pace.
Depending on your child's needs, treatment may include:
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) • Play therapy • Parent coaching • Family therapy • Emotional regulation and coping skills • Collaboration with schools, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and other providers when appropriate
Our clinicians work with children and teens healing from many different types of trauma, including childhood trauma, medical trauma, traumatic grief, bullying, abuse, neglect, attachment wounds, divorce, community violence, accidents, and other overwhelming life experiences.
Because trauma can affect every aspect of a child's development, we focus on treating the whole child—not just the symptoms.
Why Specialized Treatment Matters
Trauma affects much more than memories. It can influence how children think, feel, behave, learn, develop relationships, and experience the world around them. Trauma symptoms are sometimes mistaken for anxiety, ADHD, depression, behavioral concerns, or defiance when the underlying issue is an unprocessed traumatic experience.
Specialized trauma therapy helps children safely process those experiences so they no longer feel as emotionally overwhelming. Our clinicians are trained in evidence-based trauma treatments, including EMDR, which helps the brain process distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity. While EMDR can be a powerful treatment option, it is just one of several approaches we may recommend depending on your child's age, developmental level, and clinical needs.
Our goal is not simply to reduce symptoms, but to help children rebuild a sense of safety, confidence, connection, and hope.
What Parents Can Expect
Beginning trauma therapy can feel overwhelming—for both children and parents.
Our first sessions focus on building trust, helping your child feel emotionally safe, and understanding how trauma has affected their daily life. Before processing difficult memories, we help children develop coping skills and emotional regulation strategies that support lasting healing.
Parents are an important part of treatment. Throughout therapy, we'll provide education, guidance, and practical tools to help you better understand your child's reactions and feel more confident supporting them at home.
Healing isn't about forgetting what happened. It's about helping children move forward without their past continuing to control their present.
Why Families Choose The Center for Family Empowerment
Families choose The Center for Family Empowerment because they are looking for thoughtful, specialized trauma care that recognizes every child's healing journey is unique.
Our clinicians have advanced training in evidence-based trauma therapies and work collaboratively with parents, schools, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and other providers when appropriate. We understand that trauma impacts the entire family, and we believe healing happens best when caregivers feel supported alongside their child.
Whether your child has experienced a recent traumatic event or is carrying the effects of experiences from years ago, we're committed to providing compassionate, individualized care that fosters resilience and lasting growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories so they become less emotionally overwhelming. EMDR has been extensively researched and is effective for many children, teens, and adults when provided by a trained clinician.
Is EMDR appropriate for children?
Yes. EMDR can be adapted to a child's developmental level and often incorporates play, storytelling, drawing, and other age-appropriate techniques. Not every child will need EMDR, and together we'll determine the treatment approach that's the best fit.
Will parents be involved?
Absolutely. Parents play an important role in helping children heal from trauma. We partner with caregivers throughout treatment, providing education, practical strategies, and ongoing support.
Does my child have to talk about everything that happened?
No. Children are never pressured to share more than they are ready to. Therapy focuses on helping children feel safe, supported, and empowered while processing difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable.
Related Areas of Expertise
Trauma often overlaps with other emotional and behavioral concerns. Depending on your child's needs, you may also be interested in:
Anxiety Therapy
Trauma frequently contributes to excessive worry, panic, school anxiety, and avoidance. Learn more about our Anxiety Therapy services.
Play Therapy
Young children often communicate their experiences through play rather than words. Learn more about how Play Therapy supports emotional healing and development.
Depression & Self-Harm
Some children and teens respond to trauma by becoming withdrawn, hopeless, or engaging in self-harming behaviors. Learn more about our specialized treatment for Depression & Self-Harm.
Self-Esteem & Body Image
Trauma can affect a young person's sense of safety, identity, self-worth, and relationship with their body.
Family Therapy
Trauma affects the entire family system. Family therapy can strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and support healing together.
Schedule a Consultation
Healing is possible, and you don't have to navigate it alone.
Whether your child is struggling after bullying, grief, medical trauma, abuse, divorce, an accident, attachment challenges, or another overwhelming life experience, our team is here to help them heal, build resilience, and move forward with confidence.