Trauma-Informed Care that keeps pace with the child
I bring a trauma-informed lens to the work so children and teens aren’t pushed past what they can handle. That means I pay close attention to safety, trust, and what feels manageable in the room.
How I use it
Lillian Lai, LCSW
Trauma-informed care shapes how I talk, how I pace the session, and how I respond when something feels too much. I pay attention to cues from the child or teen instead of assuming one approach fits everyone. For families, it can also mean helping adults understand why certain reactions happen and how to respond without escalating things. The work is careful, direct, and grounded in the person’s actual experience.
I keep an eye on what helps someone stay steady enough to do the work.
Who it tends to suit
Trauma-informed care matters when a child or teen has been through experiences that make trust hard or reactions bigger. It can also matter when a family has been under a lot of stress for a long time. People often come in wanting care that doesn’t feel rushed or overwhelming. They may be looking for someone who understands that behavior can be a response to stress, not just a problem to correct.
- I get overwhelmed when things move too fast.
- I need people to go slow with me.
- I shut down when I feel pressure.
- I react before I even know what’s happening.
What the first sessions look like
At the start, I focus on what helps the child or teen feel settled enough to be in the room with me. We talk about what feels hard, what helps, and what needs to stay simple for now.
Questions people ask
What does trauma-informed therapy actually look like in session?
It looks careful, paced, and responsive to the child or teen in front of me. I pay attention to what feels manageable and adjust based on how they’re doing in the room.
Is trauma-informed care different from trauma therapy?
They overlap, but trauma-informed care is the way I approach the work. It means I’m paying attention to safety, trust, and pacing in every session.
Can this help if my child gets overwhelmed easily?
Yes, that’s often exactly why families look for this approach. I pay close attention to overwhelm and work in a way that doesn’t add more pressure than needed.
Do parents get included in trauma-informed care?
They can, depending on what would help most. I may work with the child or teen directly and also include parents when that supports the work.
About Child & Teen Therapist in Yorba Linda, CA
I work with children, teens, and families who are dealing with anxiety, trauma, depression, or family transitions. I see people in person in Yorba Linda and online across California.
Talk it through with Lillian
Tell us what has been going on and we will take it from there.