AYTC treatment modalities

Arizona Youth Trauma Center’s philosophy is heavily influenced by Mindfulness and Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Mindfulness is a state of being, as well as a way of life. Youth learn the benefits of living in the present moment and gaining the ability to revert thoughts to the moment rather than giving power to past and future thoughts. Negative past experiences commonly generate thoughts and beliefs, often leading to depressive symptoms, whereas futuristic
predictions constructed from worry or negativity generally produce anxiety. Mindfulness teaches children to acknowledge their thoughts and return focus to reality, the present moment.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Health (TF-CBT) is designed to support youth by altering their unhelpful thoughts, which produce overwhelming emotions that lead to negative behaviors stemming from past trauma/s. Youth and caregivers are educated about trauma and its effects. The family learns healthy coping skills to promote relaxation during intense emotional experiences, while children create Trauma Narratives (TN). Trauma Narratives are a written perspective of the event/s from the child’s point of view. Throughout the course of creating the TN, the therapist will support the child in processing the trauma and trauma triggers.