Individual & Family Therapy
Children and Trauma
If a child has had a traumatic experience such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, chronic neglect, or has witnessed a traumatic event, the child and family may need help coping with the trauma. The first step is recognizing the signs and symptoms of distress.
Some common signs and symptoms include:
- Feelings of sadness, guilt, anger, irritability, or loneliness
- Withdrawn behavior
- Regression in skills (such as bedwetting, thumb sucking)
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks or unwanted repetitive thoughts about the traumatic event
- Difficulty getting along with family or friends
- Trouble concentrating or paying attention in school
How to Make a Referral
If you would like to make a therapy referral, please contact us at (252) 744-8342 and ask to make a therapy referral.To qualify for therapy services, abuse allegations must have been reported and investigated. Please leave your name, child’s name and date of birth, and contact information when making a therapy referral. One of our therapists will call as soon as possible to learn more details and to arrange a therapy intake appointment, if deemed appropriate.We will do our best to return your call in a prompt manner but please allow up to two business days for your call to be returned as therapist’s schedules are often busy throughout the day.
Therapy intake appointments typically last between one to two hours. At intake, the legal guardian must be present to sign paperwork and be involved in the process. Please bring your child’s insurance card and any previous psychological testing, reports on mental health treatment, and/or other useful information to assist our therapists in learning more about your child’s treatment needs.
Our Therapists
Wendy Shouse is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Indiana University and her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She has worked at TEDI BEAR since 2007. Wendy is also the Department of Pediatrics Mental Health Manager.
Maddy Day is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Bachelor of Science in Child Life and Family Community Services, and her Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, from East Carolina University. She has worked at TEDI BEAR since 2024.
Therapy Services
Our therapists have completed the extensive training programs in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
TF-CBT, CPT, and EMDR are evidence-based treatment models frequently used by our therapists, when deemed appropriate. These models address managing distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the abuse or trauma. Enhancing safety skills, parenting skills, and increasing family communication is also emphasized. Caregivers are the most important and powerful people in their children’s lives; thus, they are expected to participate in therapy. Children and their caretakers are typically seen once a week or every other week for therapy services.