Trauma Therapy For Children and Teens in San Jose

Trauma Therapy for Children and Teens in San Jose

You may be here because:

  • Your child experienced a scary event in the past that they aren’t getting over

  • You are worried something may have happened to your child that they are not talking to you about

  • Your child is afraid of things they used to be okay with

  • Your child is withdrawn or crying more often or having more tantrums than in the past


Your child may be struggling with unprocessed trauma, and it affects you and their wellbeing. You want what is best for your child and you don’t know how to help them.

Hannah Ly, San Jose Trauma Therapist

Seeing your child suffer from trauma is one of the hardest things to experience as parents.

I can provide a safe and therapeutic space for your child to process their feelings and past events that are bothering them.

Traumatic experiences can affect children differently than it affects adults, because children are more vulnerable and may feel more powerless in these situations.

I will work with your child to help them process their trauma through direct and indirect methods such as expressive arts, sand tray, pretend play, storytelling, and Brainspotting.

I will give you the tools you need to help your child continue to heal at home and at school through identifying how to compassionately respond to your child when their trauma is coming up.

Your child doesn’t have to suffer anymore. I have the training and skills to provide a space where your child can process their trauma.

You will be equipped with skills to respond to your child outside of the therapy room so they can heal and be the happy child they were before

Schedule a free 15-Minute Consultation

About Trauma Therapy with Hannah Ly

Areas of Focus for Trauma Therapy for Kids

  • Not all grief and loss is traumatic, but sometimes it can be. An unexpected loss of a loved one, or a stressful or uncertain timeline preceding the loss of a loved one can be traumatic.

  • I specialize in helping adoptive families adjust to life together, and can help children who have experienced adoption or aculturation stress process through the hurt and grief that may have occurred.

    Learn more my adoption focused therapy.

  • Children who have a history of abuse or neglect often carry the weight of their trauma within them. This stored trauma can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, behavioral issues, or physical symptoms. Processing this trauma is essential for healing.

  • A one time stressful or scary event that your child keeps bringing up may indicate they keep thinking about the event and it’s bothering them. I can help your child process this stressful memory to help it be less bothersome for them.

How I help Children and Teens in Trauma Therapy

Brainspotting Therapy for Trauma

Brainspotting Therapy offers a practical and innovative approach for teens and children to address and process trauma. This therapeutic method involves focusing on specific eye positions to access the brain's deeper emotional centers. By doing so, it allows individuals to release stored emotions in a secure and supportive environment, providing a safe space for healing.

Brainspotting enables teens and kids to delve into underlying distress and engage parts of their brain that lie beyond cognitive defenses and rational thinking. This unique approach helps bypass the mind's natural resistance to emotional exploration, facilitating a deeper understanding of personal experiences. As a result, the process not only promotes emotional resilience but also supports the overall healing journey, empowering young individuals to navigate their emotions more effectively and build a foundation for emotional well-being.

Play Therapy for Children with Trauma

Play Therapy offers young children a compelling path to heal from trauma, enabling them to process their emotions through play. By employing play as a therapeutic tool, children can express complex feelings and reenact difficult experiences within a safe, controlled setting.

Play Therapy provides them with a sense of security as they explore their inner world. Activities such as role-playing, storytelling, and art allow children to address their trauma at their own pace, honoring their unique needs and comfort levels. These activities not only facilitate emotional expression but also nurture creativity and imagination, crucial for healthy development.

Play Therapy is known to reduce trauma symptoms while enhancing emotional regulation, self-esteem, and social skills. By creating a supportive environment for children to openly share and explore, Play Therapy builds resilience and confidence. Ultimately, it transforms the healing process into an engaging and enjoyable experience for young children, turning a challenging journey into something therapeutic and fun.