Overcome by Trauma
teenage girl in despair about dropped notebook “overcome by trauma.’
Jennifer
Jennifer is my sister. We’ve always been super close, practically inseparable. Growing up, we shared everything—secrets, jokes, and even dreams for the future. But then I went away to college last year, and the distance between us started to grow. At first, I didn’t think much of it; I was caught up in the excitement of new experiences and assumed Jennifer was doing fine without me. We still talked, but our conversations became less frequent and less detailed, especially when it came to her school life. It was strange because she used to be so passionate about her friends, her art club, and just having fun. She was always goofy, always the life of the party, and had a solid sense of who she was.
But over the past few months, something shifted. Jennifer started to withdraw. She became anxious and indecisive, nothing like the confident, vibrant person I knew her to be. I couldn’t figure out what was going on with her. It was like she had lost all her confidence, and it broke my heart to see her struggle like that. When we did talk, she seemed like a different person—no longer the strong-willed sister I admired, but someone who was unsure of herself, almost like a pushover. I could tell something was wrong, but I didn’t know what. I felt sick to my stomach when I finally learned the truth: Jennifer had been bullied relentlessly this semester.
How did this happen? How did my likeable, spirited sister become a target for such cruelty? It wasn’t just one person either; it seemed like the whole school was ganging up on her. I don’t know how she managed to hide it from Mom and Dad, but she did. I should have seen the signs, should have known that something was deeply wrong. The last time I spoke to her, she was a mess—a train wreck. She told me she was going to a party, and I didn’t think twice about it. But now I wish I had.
That party was a turning point, a moment that took everything from bad to much, much worse. Jennifer, in a desperate attempt to escape the pain, drank too much and took some pills. She overdosed. And as if that wasn’t enough, some horrible person took advantage of her in that vulnerable state. Now, I’m sitting here in the hospital, waiting for her to wake up, feeling helpless and angry and so deeply sad. My sister, who was once so full of life, is now lying in a hospital bed because of the relentless bullying she endured and the bad choices that followed. I can’t stop asking myself: Why didn’t I see the signs? Why didn’t I do something sooner?
We at Teen Therapy Center understand the profound impact that severe traumas like Jennifer’s can have on a young person’s life. Trauma therapy is a crucial step in helping teens navigate the overwhelming emotions that come with such painful experiences. Our approach is designed to support teens in overcoming trauma by providing them with a safe space to explore and express their feelings. Counseling for trauma recovery helps them to understand their pain, recognize their strengths, and begin the process of healing.
Jennifer, like many teens who have experienced trauma, may feel powerless and trapped by her circumstances. But with the right support, she can start to reclaim her sense of self. Trauma recovery support for adolescents focuses on empowering them to take control of their lives again. At Teen Therapy Center, we help teens like Jennifer understand that while they may not be able to control everything that happens to them, they can control how they respond. Through counseling, Jennifer can learn to forgive herself and others, to move forward without the burden of blame or shame, and to develop a self-worth that is not defined by her trauma.
Our trauma therapy program is about more than just healing wounds; it’s about helping teens build resilience and find peace within themselves. Jennifer will learn to honor her feelings and experiences without letting them define her. She will discover that her identity is not bound by the events she’s endured, but by the strength and courage she finds within herself as she works through them. With the right trauma recovery support, she can rebuild her confidence, embrace who she is, and find a path to a healthier, more empowered future.
If your family is dealing with the aftermath of trauma, know that you don’t have to face it alone. The Teen Therapy Center is here to help you and your teen navigate the road to recovery. Contact us for more information about our trauma therapy services and how we can support your family during this difficult time. We are committed to providing the guidance and care needed to help teens overcome trauma and reclaim their lives.
Serious traumatic events come in many forms. They can often devastate both the teenager and the family in countless ways. If your family is trying to recover from trauma, Teen Therapy Center would like to help.