Trauma-Informed Coaching for Teens and Young Adults

Trauma is an often unseen force shaping the lives of many teens and young adults. For educators, coaches, and youth-serving professionals, understanding trauma’s impact and learning how to support young people through a trauma-informed lens is essential for fostering resilience and well-being. This post dives into the fundamentals of trauma, its many forms, and how trauma-informed coaching can empower young people to overcome adversity.

Whether you’re a coach, educator, or simply someone who works closely with youth, you’ll gain actionable insights on how to support and inspire growth in young people navigating the long-lasting effects of trauma.


What is trauma and why does it matter?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines trauma as the result of an event or series of events that an individual perceives as harmful or threatening, with potential long-term effects on physical, emotional, social, or spiritual well-being. Trauma isn’t limited to catastrophic events but can arise from everyday challenges that deeply affect an individual’s sense of safety or stability.

For teens and young adults, these experiences can be even more impactful as they occur during critical developmental stages. Recognizing and addressing trauma early can mitigate its effects, empower growth, and create opportunities for a brighter future.

The foundations of a trauma-informed approach

SAMHSA (2023) outlines four key assumptions that guide trauma-informed care and coaching:

  • Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand paths for recovery.
  • Recognize trauma’s signs and symptoms.
  • Respond by integrating trauma knowledge into interactions and practices.
  • Resist retraumatization by fostering safe environments.

Through these principles, trauma-informed approaches prioritize compassion, understanding, and empowerment while avoiding harmful interactions that might reinforce stress or harm.


The many faces of trauma

Trauma is complex, and its forms can vary widely depending on the individual and the environment. Understanding the different types of trauma is crucial for tailoring your approach to supporting young people.

Types of trauma

  1. Mass Trauma

Events like war, pandemics, or natural disasters impact large populations, causing collective trauma across communities or nations.

  1. Community-Based Trauma

Localized experiences like racial discrimination, poverty, or gang violence affect smaller groups of people and are deeply tied to shared identities or circumstances.

  1. Group Trauma

Those with common experiences, such as first responders or military combat veterans, may share unique forms of trauma.

  1. Family Trauma

Domestic violence, parental separation, job loss, or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like neglect or abuse often manifest in family settings and leave long-lasting marks.

  1. Individual Trauma

This includes deeply personal events like an assault, serious injury, or life-threatening illness.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

The landmark 1998 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente linked early exposure to abuse or household dysfunction to long-term health risks. Children exposed to multiple ACEs are more likely to encounter physical, mental, and emotional challenges as adults.

Expanded ACEs research has also highlighted how poverty, discrimination, and adverse neighborhood experiences compound the effects of traditional ACEs, showing the importance of safe community and family environments as protective factors.

Trauma may manifest as acute (short-lived stress), chronic (ongoing stress response), or complex (repeated, severe long-term exposure), each requiring a different approach to address its impact.


Understanding how trauma affects teens and young adults

According to the National Institutes of Health, most children will experience trauma by the age of 16. Trauma can disrupt normal development, causing challenges in school, social relationships, and emotional health. Understanding how trauma manifests is critical for identifying when support is needed.

Signs of trauma in youth (NIH, 2018; NIMH, 2024; SAMHSA, 2024)

  • Difficulty focusing or learning in school.
  • Nightmares and trouble sleeping.
  • Withdrawal or social isolation.
  • Irritability, guilt, or frequent anger.
  • Risky behaviors such as substance abuse or self-harm.
  • Anxiety, depression, and emotional numbness.
  • Changes in appetite or physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches.

One key concept to understanding trauma’s impact is Polyvagal Theory, introduced by Stephen Porges. This theory explains how the autonomic nervous system regulates our sense of safety and fight-or-flight responses. Many teens impacted by trauma experience “faulty neuroception,” or an overactivation of their threat detection system. This can leave them stuck in heightened states of stress, unable to access the calm and connection needed for growth.

Learning to support co-regulation—in which a supportive adult helps a young person calm their nervous system—is a foundational skill for trauma-informed coaching.


Trauma-informed coaching strategies

While trauma is unfortunately common, recovery and growth are possible. Trauma-informed coaching focuses on setting safe, supportive conditions that enable young people to heal, grow, and pursue meaningful goals.

Key principles of trauma-informed coaching

  1. Safety

Create environments where youth feel secure and supported. This includes both emotional and physical safety.

  1. Trust and Transparency

Keep communication clear and predictable, allowing young participants to build trust in the coaching process.

  1. Empowerment and Choice

Give teens agency and control over their goals and coaching pathways.

  1. Collaboration

Foster mutual respect and partnership, ensuring that young people feel heard and valued.

  1. Peer Support and Community

Encourage connection with supportive social networks, building community resilience and well-being.

Practical tools for trauma recovery

Helping young people recover from trauma includes equipping them with coping mechanisms and building their resilience. Here are a few coaching goals that align with trauma recovery:

  • Fostering Connection

Support youth in identifying safe relationships and building environments where they feel accepted and supported.

  • Developing Life Skills

Focus on resilience through goal-setting, time management, and emotional regulation.

  • Engaging in Mind-Body Practices

Activities like yoga, mindfulness, or breathwork can stabilize the nervous system and improve emotional awareness.

  • Encouraging Self-Care

Guide teens in designing self-care routines around sleep, exercise, and hobbies that bring joy.

  • Building Purpose

Reinforce values-based goal-setting and provide opportunities for meaningful daily activities.

Trauma-informed coaching allows youth to set goals that work for them, anchored in their strengths and readiness to engage.


The role of trauma-informed approaches in shaping a better future

Research, including insights from SAMHSA, shows that trauma-informed approaches truly make a difference. By fostering resilience and empowering young people, trauma-informed coaching equips the next generation with tools to overcome adversity and thrive.

This is not just an investment in individual well-being but in collective growth. By understanding trauma’s impact and taking steps to address it, you can transform lives—not just for today but for the future.

Want to learn more about supporting young people overcoming trauma? Check out our ICF-accredited coach training programs and take the next step in transforming how you work with youth.