Trauma Therapy for Children & Teens in St. Louis, MO
Helping Kids Heal After Trauma
Why Connection Matters More Than Perfection
When the Past Won’t Stay in the Past
Maybe bedtime turns into a battle every night, or your child melts down in the middle of the grocery store while everyone stares. Maybe you’re on your third call from school this week, and you’re running out of ideas for how to help. Or maybe it’s the silence that hurts most: the shutdowns, the walls, the way your child seems far away even when you’re sitting right beside them.
You love your child, but some days it feels like you’re walking on eggshells. You second-guess yourself. You wonder if you’re making things worse. And deep down, you worry the trust between you might never come back.
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Children who’ve experienced trauma often carry wounds that show up in big feelings, confusing behaviors, and struggles with trust. But with the right kind of support, those patterns can begin to shift.
Healing After Early Childhood Trauma
If your child has lived through abuse, neglect, foster care, or adoption, you may be seeing the weight of that trauma in everyday life. Therapy can help kids feel safe again and gives you the tools to respond with calm, consistency, and connection. Therapy can help by:
Support for Big Feelings and Behaviors
When kids feel overwhelmed, it often comes out as meltdowns, shutdowns, or behaviors that feel unmanageable. I help children feel safe enough to process their experiences while giving you practical tools to respond calmly and consistently. Those chaotic moments can turn into opportunities for connection instead of conflict.
Support for
Caregivers
I know how exhausting it is to feel lost and unsure of what your child really needs. In therapy, I want to support you as we make sense of whats going on beneath your child’s behaviors. My role is to help you feel understood and find new ways of connecting with your kiddo.
Rebuilding Trust and Connection
What Child Trauma Therapy Looks Like Here
I work with children ages 3–18 who are healing from abuse, neglect, foster care, or adoption. My approach is trauma-informed and attachment-focused, which means I don’t just focus on your child in isolation, I bring you into the process too. Real change happens when kids and caregivers grow together.
Child trauma therapy isn’t about “fixing” your child or making every behavior disappear overnight. It’s about helping them feel safe in their own skin again while giving you the tools to show up with steadiness and compassion. Together, we create a path where your child feels understood, and you feel empowered instead of overwhelmed.
Some of the most common areas we work on include:
- Child trauma therapy in St. Louis for kids in foster care or adopted
- Support for children healing from abuse or neglect
- Trauma-informed parenting strategies you can use in daily life
- Child counseling focused on attachment and family connection
More About Me
I’m Anne Benson, a trauma therapist who has spent my career helping children and teens feel safe enough to heal and grow. My path started with child development at Vanderbilt, took me to Ukraine as a Peace Corps Youth Development Volunteer, and led me to earn my Master’s in Social Work at Washington University.
I’m trained in approaches like TF-CBT, PCIT, ITCT, and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, but what matters most is how I show up with kids and families: calm, steady, and always focused on connection. Many of the children I work with are in foster care or adoption, and I walk alongside caregivers to help restore trust and attachment.
I’m also proud to offer Queer-Affirming Care as a lesbian therapist, creating a space where all families feel seen and supported.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Trauma Therapy
How do I know if my child needs trauma therapy?
Children often express trauma through behavior rather than words. You might notice frequent meltdowns, anxiety, shutdowns, aggression, sleep struggles, or difficulty trusting adults. Some children become withdrawn while others seem constantly on edge. Trauma therapy helps children understand their feelings and rebuild a sense of safety and connection.
What types of trauma do you help children with?
I work with children and teens who are healing from experiences such as abuse, neglect, foster care placement, adoption, family disruption, medical trauma, or other stressful life events. Trauma can affect children in many ways, and therapy focuses on helping them feel safe, supported, and understood.
What happens during child trauma therapy sessions?
Child trauma therapy often looks different from traditional talk therapy. Sessions may include play, creative expression, and conversation depending on your child’s age and needs. I also work closely with caregivers so you can understand what your child is experiencing and learn ways to support them at home.
Will I be involved in my child’s therapy?
Yes. Caregiver involvement is an important part of trauma-informed therapy. While some time may be spent working directly with your child, we also talk together about what’s happening beneath your child’s behaviors and how to strengthen safety, trust, and connection at home.
What ages do you work with?
I provide trauma therapy for children and teens ages 3–18. Each stage of development comes with different emotional needs, so therapy is adapted to your child’s age, personality, and experiences.
How long does trauma therapy for children take?
Every child’s healing process is different. Some children benefit from shorter-term support, while others need longer-term therapy to rebuild safety and attachment after more complex trauma. The pace of therapy is guided by your child’s needs and comfort level.
Do you offer therapy for foster or adoptive families?
Yes. Many of the families I work with are navigating foster care or adoption. Therapy focuses on strengthening attachment, building trust, and helping children process early experiences that may still affect their behavior and emotions.
Do you accept insurance?
Sessions are $175 and offered out of network. A superbill can be provided upon request if you would like to submit for potential reimbursement through your insurance provider.
Your trauma does not define you.
You don’t have to figure this out alone, and your child doesn’t have to carry their pain without support. Healing takes root in connection and, together, we can help your child feel safe, supported, and ready to grow again.
Anne Benson, LCSW
Authentic Roots Counseling, LLC
Phone:
314-718-9946
Office:
7310 Manchester Ave, Suite 200C
Maplewood, MO 63143
