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At Ascend Behavioral Health, we specialize in supporting young people and families through some of life’s most challenging moments. Our PTSD treatment for teens in Fresno, California is designed to help adolescents navigate the complex symptoms and emotions that arise after a traumatic event. Whether your teen has experienced domestic violence, sexual abuse, a serious accident, or the loss of a loved one, we’re here to offer healing, hope, and a path forward.
Our trauma-informed approach combines evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) to help teens rebuild trust, develop emotional strength, and regain control of their lives. At our Fresno treatment center, we offer individualized treatment plans for teens struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, tailored to their unique stories, strengths, and recovery goals. Whether your child is in outpatient or residential treatment, Ascend provides the care, tools, and compassion they need.
What Is PTSD in Teens?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a highly distressing or life-threatening event. For teens, this could include things like natural disasters, violent incidents, physical abuse, sexual trauma, bullying, or even repeated exposure to family instability. While PTSD is often associated with adults, adolescents and even younger children are deeply vulnerable to its lasting psychological effects.
Teens with PTSD often struggle with re-experiencing the event through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories. They may exhibit avoidance behaviors, emotional numbness, or intense reactions to certain sounds, places, or people that remind them of the trauma. Over time, these patterns can interfere with daily life, school performance, social relationships, and physical health problems—especially if left untreated.
Symptoms of PTSD in Adolescents
Recognizing the symptoms of PTSD in teens can be difficult, especially since the behaviors often overlap with other mental disorders or are mistaken for typical adolescent mood swings. However, untreated PTSD can escalate into more serious mental health issues, including substance abuse, depression, anxiety disorders, and co-occurring disorders.
Here are some common indicators that a teen may be struggling with PTSD:
- Persistent flashbacks or nightmares related to the traumatic experience
- Sudden irritability, aggression, or emotional withdrawal
- Difficulty concentrating or completing schoolwork
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or negative thoughts about the world
- Avoidance of certain places, activities, or family members
- Extreme sensitivity to sounds or smells that trigger memories
- Engagement in risky behaviors or use of drugs and alcohol to cope
- Trouble sleeping or frequent fatigue
- Inability to regulate emotions or frequent mood swings
Early intervention is critical. Without effective mental health treatment, PTSD can persist for years, affecting a teen’s identity, relationships, and long-term well-being.
How PTSD Treatment Works for Teens
At Ascend Behavioral Health, our PTSD treatment model is designed specifically for teen mental health. We recognize that teenagers have unique emotional and developmental needs, and we work closely with them—and their caregivers—to create a treatment experience that feels safe, empowering, and responsive.
Our approach includes a combination of therapeutic modalities such as:
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): A specialized form of CBT that helps teens safely process trauma, reframe negative thoughts, and learn healthy coping strategies for emotional recovery.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This powerful psychotherapy technique helps reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories, especially for teens who experience re-experiencing or flashbacks.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Often integrated for teens struggling with emotional instability or substance use disorders, DBT teaches coping skills and emotional regulation in structured group therapy or individual sessions.
- Talk therapy and family involvement: We encourage family therapy and open communication to rebuild trust and strengthen the family system after trauma.
Every teen at Ascend receives a personalized treatment plan shaped by their individual history, symptoms, and treatment goals. From the first assessment through the final session, our team is committed to providing compassionate, developmentally appropriate care that meets teens where they are.
Why Specialized PTSD Treatment Matters
General therapy isn’t always enough when it comes to trauma. Teens recovering from PTSD need targeted, trauma-specific interventions in order to properly address the neurological, behavioral, and emotional impact of what they’ve experienced. Trauma affects the brain’s threat response system and changes the way young people perceive safety, relationships, and even themselves.
Trauma treatment for teens requires not only clinical expertise, but an understanding of how adolescents think, feel, and communicate. At Ascend, our mental health professionals are trained in child and adolescent psychology, and bring compassion, patience, and expertise into every session.
We also address co-occurring disorders such as depression, generalized anxiety, and substance abuse, which often develop as maladaptive ways to cope with trauma. By providing integrative care under one roof, we ensure that nothing goes untreated or ignored.
The Role of Family in PTSD Recovery
Trauma doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it impacts the entire family. That’s why caregiver involvement is a core part of our treatment program. Through family therapy, psychoeducation, and ongoing communication, we help family members understand how PTSD affects their teen and what they can do to support the healing process.
Parents and guardians often carry their own emotional responses—guilt, helplessness, or grief—especially when the trauma occurred within the home. We offer a safe, nonjudgmental space for families to reconnect and rebuild. Healing is strongest when it’s shared.
A Safe Space for Teens in Fresno, California
At Ascend Behavioral Health, we’ve created a safe space where teens feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear or pressure. From our welcoming environment to our age-appropriate programming, we’ve designed every aspect of our Fresno center to support healing, growth, and trust.
Whether your teen has been through a recent traumatic event or has carried the weight of childhood trauma for years, our team is equipped to help. We provide both outpatient and residential treatment options depending on your child’s level of need, and we work with many major health care providers to make treatment accessible and affordable.
Our team includes licensed psychiatry, counseling, and clinical specialists who collaborate to ensure every teen receives holistic, personalized care. With services ranging from individual therapy to group sessions, we offer multiple pathways to recovery.
Admissions Process
We know that asking for help takes courage. Getting in touch is the first step. We’re here for you, no matter what. Once submitted, our admissions team will be in touch within 24 hours.
Or call us directly to get started: 559-472-3371
Begin PTSD Treatment at Ascend Behavioral Health Today
If your teen is struggling to cope with the aftereffects of trauma, know that you’re not alone—and that help is available. At Ascend Behavioral Health, our PTSD treatment for teens in Fresno, California offers the structure, expertise, and compassion your child needs to move forward.
We are here to walk with your family through this journey, from the first phone call to the last day of treatment. With trauma-informed care, proven treatment options, and a deep understanding of teen mental health, Ascend is proud to be a place where healing happens.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation, learn more about our treatment programs, and take the next step toward recovery—for your teen, and for your whole family.
Reviewed By: Matthew Tatum, PsyD
Dr. Tatum received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology. He has extensive experience developing and expanding behavioral health services, including residential, detoxification, and outpatient programs. As CEO of Sierra Meadows, his focus is on expanding access to care for the Central Valley.
