Group trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Strong evidence – there is lots of high-quality evidence that some young people find this treatment option helpful.
You could be offered group trauma-focused CBT if you are 7-17 years old and have experienced a traumatic event in the last month as part of a group. Group trauma-focused CBT usually involves between 5 and 15 sessions and is led by a trained mental health professional.
The sessions include psychoeducation, which means learning more about trauma and how people react to it, ways to manage problems like flashbacks and planning how to stay safe. You will work on understanding your memories and feelings about the trauma (such as being angry or feeling guilty), making sense of your reactions, and trying to overcome avoidance of things which remind you of the trauma.
Treatments outlined on these webpages may not be available in every local area. It’s important that you discuss with your GP or mental health professional the treatment options available to you. You can also search for services near you on our Youth Wellbeing Directory and find out more about referral processes here.