Trauma Systems Therapy
Integrated Care for Youth and Families Impacted by Trauma
Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) is an evidence-based mental health treatment model designed to help children, adolescents, and families who have experienced trauma and are struggling with emotional or behavioral challenges. TST goes beyond treating symptoms—it addresses both the emotional regulation difficulties of the child and the environmental or systemic stressors that can hinder recovery.
What Is Trauma Systems Therapy?
Developed by Dr. Glenn Saxe and colleagues at NYU, Trauma Systems Therapy is a comprehensive approach to trauma-informed care. It is especially effective for youth who not only suffer from trauma symptoms like fear, anger, or withdrawal but also live in environments that lack stability, safety, or support.
TST brings together:
- Clinical therapy
- Care coordination
- Safety-focused intervention
- Family and systems support
The goal is to stabilize both the child and their environment—helping them not just survive trauma, but truly heal and thrive.
Who Can Benefit from TST?
TST is designed for:
- Children and teens who have experienced abuse, neglect, violence, or chronic adversity
- Youth with emotional dysregulation, outbursts, or shutdowns
- Families affected by trauma, community violence, or family disruption
- Individuals living in unstable home, school, or community environments
It is especially helpful when traditional therapy alone isn’t enough—when external stressors keep disrupting the healing process.
Key Components of Trauma Systems Therapy
1. Emotion Regulation Skills
Helps the child learn to identify, understand, and manage intense emotional reactions that result from trauma.
2. Environmental Stabilization
Addresses the unsafe or unpredictable conditions in the child’s environment—whether at home, school, or in their peer relationships.
3. Integrated Support Teams
TST involves clinicians, case managers, school staff, and family members in a coordinated care plan to ensure consistent support.
4. Culturally Responsive Approach
Recognizes and respects the cultural, social, and individual identity of each child and family.
What Makes TST Unique?
Addresses both internal distress and external instability Built for complex trauma and high-risk environments Team-based and highly coordinated care Proven effective in schools, clinics, and community programs Focused on long-term recovery and resilienc
Iris Health Clinic’s Treatment Services Include:
- Job Assistance and Support
- Motivational Interviewing
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy
- Outpatient Treatment
- Peer Recovery Support Services
- Psychodrama
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Residential Treatment
Confidentiality
We understand that seeking treatment is not easy and the last thing a person needs is to fear is that they will be exposed by treatment staff for doing so. Fortunately, the strict rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) are designed to protect patient confidentiality. We respect these rules and we follow them. Plus, many of our leadership are in recovery and many of our family members, so we know first hand the need to seek treatment for ourselves and our loved ones privately.
Iris Health Clinic is Covered by Most Wisconsin Insurances, including Medicaid
Iris Health Clinic is covered by most insurances, including Medicare, United Health Care, UMR, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, Aetna, Quartz, Forest County Potawatomi, WEA Trust, Cigna, Humana, Exceedent, WPS, and Sanford.
Make a change for yourself, your loved one, or your client today. We’re here for you, always.