Trauma
At Equinox, the term “trauma” is used to describe a wide variety of challenging experiences. As one of the top trauma treatment centers, cutting-edge neurological research has helped us to better understand the impact of trauma on a developing brain and has driven a greater understanding of the most effective methods that can be implemented in its treatment.
Historically, the word trauma was used only to describe catastrophic events such as natural disaster, an automobile accident that caused significant bodily harm, or severe forms of physical or sexual abuse. Today, we refer to those as “Big-T Traumas.” In recent years, we have come to understand that trauma creates a significant neurobiological impact on the brain—regardless of the “intensity” of the trauma experienced. In other words, smaller traumas—those we would refer to as “little-t traumas”—create the same neurological changes in the brain as do Big-T Traumas. Our deeper experience with trauma allows us to be one of the leading trauma treatment centers for struggling teen boys.
A few examples of little-t traumas are: being bullied, divorce of parents, death of a loved one, adoption, or even feeling socially unaccepted or judged due to growing up with a learning disability. These little-t traumas can impact an individual’s social, emotional and spiritual development every bit as much as the larger, more catastrophic events considered Big-T Traumas. At Equinox, we provide services that are aimed toward healing both Big-T and little-t traumas.
Holistic Approach
At Equinox we believe that a holistic approach is the only way to help young men truly heal from trauma. We treat the entire person (mind, body and spirit). It is our belief that cutting-edge and evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as EMDR, neurofeedback, somatic experiencing, Trauma-Focused Adventure Therapy, Group therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and gender-specific addictions treatment are essential to your son’s healing process. Of equal importance is his ability to experience empowerment in our academic, residential, and adventure-based programming. Of absolute greatest importance, however, are the relationships that your son builds while at Equinox.
Your son's journey towards healing begins here. Reach out to us today.
We have found that these relationships are essential to helping him heal from his trauma and build a strong and empowered identity. We use the power of these meaningful connections through therapeutic techniques such as group therapy. This deep understanding of what helps boys heal from trauma is one of the many aspects that separates us from other traditional trauma treatment centers.
At Equinox, we work to integrate the healing of a young person’s mind, body and soul. While there is great value in talk therapy, the experiential model holds a special place in the work we do. Through the use of this model our boys have another opportunity to clear away distorted lenses that have clouded their vision of themselves, their relationship to peers, as well as their relationship with their family.
Students are able to share their perceptions of experiences with staff and seasoned peers during therapeutic groups, initiatives, adventure recreation activities, at school, and throughout the day between activities. In the moment—through processing theses perceptions and emotions—students are able to gain new insights into how they see themselves and their relationship to their community. Students can then generalize those new insights and immediately apply them to future experiences, helping to clear away distorted perceptions.