Child Trauma Therapists in Hinsdale, IL
Trauma Counselor Specialists for Children
✓ 1,000+ Chicagoland families served.
✓ 100+ years of combined clinical experience treating childhood trauma
✓ 10+ Different Trauma Certifications & Trainings
Quick Answers About Trauma Therapy Services
What is child trauma therapy?
Therapy that helps a child process an overwhelming experience so it stops controlling how they feel, sleep, behave, and relate to people.
For younger children this rarely happens through talking. It happens through play and through the body, which is how children process what they cannot yet put into words. Treatment includes regular sessions with your child and separate coaching sessions with you.
How do I know if my child needs trauma therapy?
Look for a change that started after a difficult event and has not resolved after several weeks.
Parents most often describe sleep disruption and nightmares, sudden anger out of proportion to the trigger, clinginess or separation anxiety returning, regression such as bedwetting or baby talk, stomachaches and headaches with no medical cause, withdrawal from friends and activities, and repeating the same play scenario over and over.
You do not need to be certain before calling.
What kinds of trauma do you treat?
- Accidents and injuries,
- medical trauma from hospitalization or procedures,
- the death of a parent, sibling, grandparent, or pet,
- divorce and family separation,
- physical and sexual abuse, neglect,
- witnessing violence in the home or community, bullying,
- house fires and natural disasters,
- adoption and foster care transitions.
We also work with children who developed trauma responses before they had language for what happened.
Do you treat PTSD in children?
Yes. PTSD in children often looks different than it does in adults, showing up as behavior, sleep disruption, or physical symptoms rather than as flashbacks.
We use EMDR and TF-CBT, both of which have strong research support for pediatric PTSD, alongside body-based work for children whose symptoms are primarily physical.
What approaches do you use for childhood trauma?
Our clinicians are trained in play therapy, Theraplay®, TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention), PCIT, TF-CBT, EMDR, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for trauma and developmental trauma.
Which one fits depends on your child's age, what happened, and how it is showing up. We explain our reasoning at the parent consultation rather than applying one method to every child.
Does my child have to talk about what happened?
No. We never require a child to recount a traumatic event, and we do not push for details. Pressing a child to retell the story before they feel safe can make things worse.
Much of the work happens through play and through the body. Children share what they are ready to share, and they usually get there faster when nobody is asking.
Do you work with our child's doctors/pediatricians?
Yes, with your consent. We receive referrals from pediatric practices across the western suburbs, from:
- Lurie Children's,
- Advocate, and
- University of Chicago, and
- Wellness House here in Hinsdale.
We coordinate directly with your child's physicians and specialists.
For children in active medical treatment, that coordination is part of the work rather than an add-on.
How long does trauma therapy take?
It depends on severity and on what your child experienced, but most families begin to see meaningful change between 8 and 12 sessions. We set measurable goals at the parent consultation so you can name what progress looks like rather than wondering whether it is working.
Do you take insurance?
We are an out-of-network practice. Payment is due at the time of service, and we provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
Many PPO plans reimburse a meaningful portion of out-of-network mental health care.
We recommend calling the number on your insurance card and asking what your plan covers for out-of-network outpatient mental health.
What does the first appointment look like?
The first hour is with parents only, no child present. We listen to what has been happening, take a full developmental history, and set concrete, measurable goals together. This session is billed at our standard rate. Only after that do we begin working with your child.
Is trauma-focused play therapy covered by insurance?
Yes!
We can, upon request, provide you with receipts and a coded visit bill (called “super bills”) which you may submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement if you choose. We encourage you to check with your insurance regarding the specifics of your policy.
If you'd like to know your insurance coverage use our step-by-step guide in our Kid Matters FAQ - V2 - Updated 5/11/2022
Our Approach
How We Treat Childhood Trauma
Trauma settles in the body before a child has words for it. That single fact shapes almost everything about how we work, and it is the reason child trauma therapy looks so different from adult therapy.
Bottom-Up: starting with the body
These approaches begin with the nervous system and the relationship. Play, movement, connection, and safety come first. Understanding comes later, if it ever needs to come in words at all. A child does not have to be able to explain what happened.
Six of our seven approachesTop-Down: starting with thoughts and words
This approach begins with language and thinking, and the body settles as a result. It asks a child to be able to describe what happened and reflect on it, which is why it generally suits older children and teens.
One approachMost of our training sits in bottom-up work, because most of the children we see are young. Find your child's age below to see what we would most likely consider.
Ages 2 to 7
Before a child has words for what happened. All bottom-up.
Play TherapyTheraplay®TBRIPCITSensorimotorAges 8 to 12
Old enough to talk about it, young enough that the body still does most of the work.
Play TherapyTheraplay®TBRISensorimotorEMDRTF-CBTAges 13 to 18
Both directions are available, and we often use them together.
SensorimotorEMDRTF-CBTTrauma-Focused CBT or EMDR: how we choose
These two often suit the same child, and they work in opposite directions. One starts with the story and settles the body. The other starts with the body and lets the story settle on its own. Parents frequently ask which their child needs, so here is how we think about it.
| TF-CBT (top-down)Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | EMDR (bottom-up)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it starts | With language and thinking | With the nervous system |
| How it works | Structured talk-based protocol over a set number of sessions | Bilateral stimulation while the child holds the memory |
| Best suited to | Children who can describe what happened | Single-incident trauma and PTSD |
| A session looks like | Conversation, worksheets, gradual exposure | Eye movements or gentle tapping, very little talking |
| Parent involvement | High, with parallel parent sessions | Varies by child and stage |
| Typical length | Longer, more structured | Often fewer sessions |
Meet the Team
Meet the Child Trauma Therapists at Kid Matters Counseling
Showing all 11 clinicians.
Susan Stutzman
LCPC, NCC, RPT-SFounderTrauma training
- Sensorimotor Level 2
- Certified Theraplay®
- Transforming Touch®
- +2 more
Cheryl Welsh
LCPC, RPT-STrauma training
- Certified Theraplay®
- TBRI® Practitioner
- Circle of Security
- +1 more
Sophie Hill
M.A., MFTTrauma training
- TF-CBT Certified
- Prepare and Enrich
Carrie Madden Choquette
MSWTrauma training
- Neurosequential Model
- Child Centered Play Therapy
Lauren Clancy
LCSW, C-SSWS
Garimaa Gupta
LCPCFocus areas
- Trauma
- Abuse
- Grief & loss
- +1 more
Liz Blaha
LCPC
Jon Caes
LCSW
Courtney Johns
LCSW
Kristy Mahal
LPCFocus areas
- Trauma
- Grief & loss
- Emotional regulation
- +1 more
Erin Owens
LPC, NCCFocus areas
- Life transitions
- Grief & loss
- Divorce
- +2 more
We match your child to a clinician at the parent consultation rather than assigning by whoever has the next opening. If the right fit has a wait, we will tell you that instead of placing your child with someone who is not trained for what they need.
Five questions to ask any trauma therapist you are considering
We have added what a strong answer sounds like so you are not left guessing whether the answer you got was a good one.
1Which trauma modalities are you trained in, and at what level?
Why it mattersMost trauma trainings are tiered. Someone can accurately say they are "trained in" a model after an introductory weekend. Level and certification tell you how deep it goes.
A strong answer sounds likeSpecific model names, specific levels, and who on the team holds what. For example: certified in one model, Level 2 in another, actively training in a third.
2How do you involve parents in the work?
Why it mattersWith young children especially, the parent-child relationship is often the treatment itself, not a support to it. How a practice answers this tells you which models they actually use.
A strong answer sounds likeA clear description of your role, which sessions you are in, what you practice at home, and how you get updated when you are not in the room.
3How will we know it is working, and by when?
Why it mattersYou are paying out of pocket. You deserve a marker to measure against, and a point at which the plan gets revisited if nothing has moved.
A strong answer sounds likeConcrete early signs to watch for, a rough window, and a stated plan for what changes if you do not see them.
4What happens if my child will not talk?
Why it mattersThis is the question that separates a practice with real depth from one with a single protocol. Many traumatized children will not, or cannot, narrate what happened.
A strong answer sounds likeNaming approaches that do not require a child to speak, and treating silence as information about where to start rather than as a barrier to treatment.
5Do you coordinate with our pediatrician?
Why it mattersTrauma symptoms and medical symptoms overlap constantly. Sleep, appetite, stomachaches, and headaches all sit on both sides of that line.
A strong answer sounds likeYes, with your written permission, and a description of how often it happens in practice rather than a policy statement about whether it could.
If a practice cannot answer these clearly, that is useful information. It usually means the answer is being assembled for the first time.
Why our first step is a paid parent consultation
Most practices offer a free fifteen-minute call. We do something different, and we want to be upfront about why.
The first session is with you, not your child, and it is a full clinical session. We take a complete history, hear what has actually been happening at home and at school, and answer every one of the questions above about your specific situation. Then we tell you which approach we would start with and why.
- Your child is not asked to tell a stranger their story before anyone knows whether we are the right fit.
- You leave with a recommendation, whether or not you continue with us.
- If we are not the right practice for your child, we say so, and we point you toward who is.
— WHAT YOU'RE CARRYING
You're not imagining it, and you're not failing.
Most parents come to us after weeks or months of trying everything themselves. Here's what that usually looks like.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING
New behaviors that don't add up
Tantrums that seem too big for the trigger. Sleep that falls apart. A once-easygoing kid who suddenly won't leave your side, or a teen who's gone quiet and distant.
WHAT YOU'RE FEELING
Guilt, fear, and second-guessing
Should I have seen this coming? Am I overreacting, or not reacting enough? It's exhausting to parent through uncertainty while also managing your own worry.
WHAT YOU WANT
Your kid back, and to feel steady
Not a diagnosis. Not a lecture on neuroscience. A clear next step, someone who gets kids, and a way to feel like a confident parent again.
— UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA
What "childhood trauma" actually means
Clinically, trauma isn't defined by the event itself. It's defined by how a child's nervous system responds to it. The same event can be traumatic for one child and manageable for another, depending on their age, temperament, prior experiences, and whether a safe adult was present to help them through it.
Trauma generally falls into a few categories, and knowing which one you're dealing with can shape what kind of support helps most:
Acute
A single event such as an accident, a frightening medical procedure, or witnessing violence.
Chronic
Repeated or prolonged exposure to ongoing conflict at home, repeated medical trauma, or long-term neglect.
Complex
Multiple, varied traumatic events, often relational and beginning early. Most often involving a trusted caregiver.
— WHY IT'S NOT "JUST A PHASE"
How trauma changes a developing brain
When a child perceives danger, their brain prioritizes survival over learning, memory, and emotional control. The alarm system (amygdala) takes over, while the part of the brain responsible for reasoning and self-regulation (prefrontal cortex) goes offline.
This is protective in the moment, but if it happens repeatedly, or without enough support to help the nervous system settle back down, a child's baseline stress response can stay activated long after the danger has passed.
That's the biological reason trauma symptoms show up as behavior, not explanation. A child isn't choosing to melt down, shut down, or lash out. Their body is still trying to keep them safe from something that already ended.
— HOW PLAY THERAPY ACTUALLY HELPS
How play therapy helps kids heal from trauma
Children process experiences through play the way adults process them through conversation. Re-enacting a scene with toys, assigning feelings to a puppet, or building and knocking down a block tower isn't "just playing".
It's how a child safely revisits what happened, in doses they can tolerate, with a trained adult helping them make sense of it.
PLAY THERAPY
3 Ways Role-Play Helps Heal Emotional Hurts
A short breakdown of how symbolic play helps children process what they can't yet put into words.
— AVOID THE GUESSWORK
How trauma shows up, by age
Trauma doesn't look the same at every age, because a child's brain and body express distress differently as they develop. Here's what to watch for at each stage.
Babies & Infants
PREVERBAL
Excessive crying or unusual stillness
Trouble being soothed by caregivers
Flat or watchful expression
Feeding or sleep disruptions
Loss of recently gained milestones
Strong distress at separation
Toddlers & PreSchoolers
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Regression: thumb-sucking, potty accidents
Re-enacting the event through play
Tantrums that feel bigger than the trigger
New fears (dark, strangers, being alone)
Clinginess or separation anxiety
Stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause
TALKING TO KIDS
3 Rules for Talking to Young Kids About Trauma
How to explain what happened in language a 2–5 year old can actually take in, without over- or under-explaining.
School-Age Children
EARLY ELEMENTARY
Trouble concentrating; falling grades
New aggression or irritability
Withdrawal from friends or activities
Guilt or belief they caused the event
Nightmares or fear of sleeping alone
Repetitive retelling or reenactment of events
ANXIETY
Tips to Help Children Who Worry
Practical ways to respond when a school-age child's worry starts interfering with sleep, school, or friendships.
Tweens
LATE ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL
Increased secrecy or mood swings
Difficulty trusting adults or peers
Drop in self-esteem or self-blame
Physical complaints (headaches, fatigue)
Avoidance of reminders of the event
Testing boundaries or rule-breaking
SPOTTING SYMPTOMS
How to Spot Sadness in Your Child
Tweens often hide sadness behind irritability or withdrawal. Here's what to look for instead of waiting for tears.
Teens
ADOLESCENCE
Emotional numbness or detachment
Sleep problems or chronic exhaustion
Hopelessness or talk of not mattering
Risk-taking, substance use, or self-harm
Sudden changes in friend groups
Avoidance of school, home, or specific places
MINDSET
2 Ways to Shift Your Child's Mental Outlook
Two approaches for helping a teenager move from "stuck" thinking toward a more hopeful, workable outlook.
— WHY THIS MATTERS
Childhood trauma is more common, and more consequential, than most parents realize.
~64%
of U.S. adults report at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) before age 18.
1 in 6
U.S. adults report experiencing four or more ACEs, a level linked to significantly higher lifetime health risks.
~76%
of surveyed high schoolers report at least one ACE, with emotional abuse the most commonly reported type.
24-31%
rise in youth mental-health emergency visits during a recent national crisis period, reflecting how quickly unsupported stress escalates.
Sources: CDC/BRFSS (2011–2020, published 2023); CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2023); American Academy of Pediatrics (2021). Figures are population estimates, not a diagnostic tool.
— WHAT HELPS AT HOME
Co-regulation: the truama tool to unlock healing
Before a child can regulate their own emotions, they borrow regulation from a calm adult nearby. This is called co-regulation, and it's the foundation of trauma recovery at home. In practice, that means your own steadiness (or lack of it) is doing more work than any script or phrase you say.
This doesn't mean staying calm is easy, or that you need to be perfectly regulated yourself. It means the goal in a hard moment isn't to fix the feeling immediately, it's to stay present and steady long enough for your child's nervous system to borrow yours.
CO-REGULATION
3 Ways Parents Can Help Regulate Their Child
Concrete, in-the-moment strategies for staying steady when your child's emotions spike.
— BEYOND CRISIS MODE
Building emotional health, not just managing trauma symptoms
Trauma recovery isn't only about reducing symptoms. it's also about building the emotional skills a child may not have had the chance to develop yet: naming feelings, tolerating discomfort, asking for help, and trusting that big emotions are survivable. These are teachable, and they matter for every child, not only those who've experienced something traumatic.
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
6 Strategies to Improve Your Child's Emotional Health
Everyday habits that build a child's capacity to identify, express, and move through big feelings.
— MAKING THE CALL
When it's time to reach out to a trauma therapist
Not every scary moment needs therapy. many kids recover with steady, loving support at home. Consider reaching out if you notice:
Symptoms lasting more than 2–4 weeks with no improvement
Regression in skills your child had already mastered
Avoidance that's shrinking their world (school, friends, places)
Any talk of self-harm, hopelessness, or not wanting to be here
Physical symptoms (stomachaches, headaches) with no medical cause
The event involved abuse, violence, a death, or medical trauma
Trust your gut. You know your child better than any checklist does. If something feels different and it isn't easing up, that's reason enough to ask for a second set of eyes. You don't need to wait for things to get worse.
— WHAT MOST ARTICLES LEAVE OUT
The parts of trauma recovery that rarely make it into a blog post
Big reactions aren't automatically trauma
Stress and trauma sit on a spectrum. A hard day can produce a meltdown without it being traumatic. What matters clinically is intensity, duration, and whether functioning is impaired, not the size of the reaction alone.
Regression is a feature, not a failure
When children go back to earlier behaviors such as needing a bottle again or wetting the bed, it's often the nervous system's way of asking for extra safety, not a sign you've done something wrong.
Parents carry it too
Secondary stress on caregivers is real and shapes a child's recovery. Your own regulation: sleep, support, and having somewhere to put your own fear, is part of your child's treatment plan, not separate from it.
Culture shapes how distress is shown
Some families express big feelings loudly; others go quiet and "keep it together." Neither is wrong, but it means the same trauma can look completely different from one household to the next.
Siblings are affected too, even indirectly
A child who wasn't the one directly harmed can still absorb stress from a sibling's trauma through household tension, shifted attention, or their own fear. Family-wide support, not just individual therapy, often matters.
Healing isn't linear
Progress often looks like two steps forward, one step back, especially around anniversaries, transitions, or new developmental stages that make old material resurface in a new way. That's expected, not a setback.
— THE PLAN
Three simple steps to get your child support.
Schedule an Appointment
Fill out the contact form to get started!
Let's Make a Plan
We get to know your child's history, temperament, and what safety and trust look like for them specifically.
Nuture Hope
We'll guide you on the journey to cultivate healing & nuture hope.
Kid Matter Articles on Trauma in Children
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