Psychology Team Training:
Understanding Trauma & the Teenage Brain. Delivered by our Clinical Lead Consultant Psychologist Dr Rosey.
This week, our psychology team took part in an in-depth trauma training session exploring how early experiences, neurodevelopment, and the unique workings of the teenage brain shape young people’s behaviour, emotions, and responses to stress.
Drawing on current research and clinical insight, the session highlighted how trauma and attachment experiences influence brain development, emotional regulation, and the ways in which adolescents navigate the world.
Key areas explored included:
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The developing teenage brain – Building on Dan Siegel’s work, we examined how the adolescent brain prioritises novelty, emotional intensity, and social belonging — all while the prefrontal cortex (responsible for planning, impulse control, and reasoning) is still maturing. This natural imbalance makes teenagers more vulnerable to risk-taking, emotional overwhelm, and rapid shifts in mood.
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Trauma’s impact on neurodevelopment – The training explored how early trauma, insecure attachment, and chronic stress shape emotional regulation systems, particularly the amygdala and limbic regions. When early experiences have taught a young person that the world is unsafe, their brain becomes wired for survival rather than exploration, leading to hypervigilance, shutdown, or heightened emotional reactivity.
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Attachment and relationship-based practice – Revisiting attachment theory, the team reflected on how disrupted or insecure early relationships can affect trust, help-seeking, and a young person’s internal working model. Consistent, attuned adults remain a powerful protective factor, helping teens develop “earned security” even after difficult beginnings.
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Neurodiversity considerations – The session also linked trauma-informed practice with neurodiversity, discussing how differences in sensory processing, executive functioning, emotional intensity, masking, and justice sensitivity can make regulation even more challenging for some young people. Understanding these factors allows us to tailor interventions that meet individual needs.
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Supporting emotional regulation – We explored practical strategies such as grounding techniques, sensory adjustments, soothing routines, and co-regulation approaches that help young people move from distress to safety. The team reflected on how predictable, compassionate responses build emotional resilience over time.
This training strengthened our shared understanding of how trauma and adolescence intersect - and reinforced our commitment to providing a safe, responsive environment where young people feel seen, understood, and supported.
Feedback from our Psychology Team:
“The session gave me a much clearer understanding of how trauma shapes the teenage brain, and I feel more confident applying this in my day-to-day work.”
“I found the links between neurodiversity, emotional regulation, and trauma really helpful — it’s changed the way I think about certain behaviours.”
A huge thank-you to our psychology team for their engagement, openness, and dedication to continually deepening their practice.
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