Complex Trauma Interventions for Children and Adolescents

Complex trauma is multiple and/prolonged interpersonal trauma occurring during vulnerable developmental periods that can lead to complex clinical presentations characterized by significant deficits in attachment, regulation, and self-image. Behavioral and biological interventions for complex trauma focus on ameliorating these key deficits and have been shown to reduce a range of mental health symptoms and increase child and family functioning across a variety of settings and implementation methods. Although there are no approved psychotropic medications for the treatment of complex trauma, several symptoms of complex trauma are mediated by neurobiological changes that can be targeted by pharmacologic and nonpharmacological interventions.