Trauma Recovery Workbook for Teens: Exercises to Process Emotions, Manage Symptoms and Promote Healing

by Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT

Help teens manage their trauma and move forward

We are greater than the trauma and pain we may experience in our life. This workbook illuminates how healing is possible, explores what trauma is, and shows teens how they can embrace their emotions while developing resiliency.

What sets this trauma workbook

Overview of trauma—Gain greater insight into the different types of trauma (from political upheaval to sexual abuse), its physical and mental effects, and the symptoms to look out for.Relatable scenarios—Find comfort and reassurance through anecdotes and questions inspired by other teens who have experienced trauma.Strategies for healing—Discover engaging activities designed to help teens address their trauma and better understand their feelings, from identifying their triggers to practicing meditation and breathwork.

Help teens find a renewed sense of hope as they learn how to work through their trauma and improve their mental health.

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2022

About the author

Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT, is a trauma therapist and author specializing in the treatment of traumatic life experiences and painful relational dynamics. She is certified in EMDR and Brainspotting and integrates neurobiological, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approaches in her work with individuals across the lifespan.

Deborah has spoken as a subject matter expert on topics including emotional abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking at colleges and nonprofit organizations throughout Southern California. Her clinical and research focus includes high-impact trauma, and she was awarded the Sandra Wilson Memorial Grant from the EMDR Research Foundation for her doctoral research on the impacts of mass shootings and treatment outcomes for survivors across the United States.

Born and raised in Kelowna, Canada, Deborah now lives in Southern California with her husband and son. She also writes regularly about trauma, recovery, and belonging on her Substack: https://dvinall.substack.com.

Reviews

[Per Kjaer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out to me most about Trauma Recovery Workbook for Teens is how approachable it feels. Trauma can be an incredibly difficult subject to understand, especially for a teenager, but this workbook does a good job of explaining complicated ideas in a way that feels clear and manageable rather than overwhelming.

I appreciated the balance between information and practical exercises. The relatable scenarios made the material feel less clinical, while the questions and activities encouraged me to pause and think about emotions, triggers, reactions, and ways of coping. The sections on breathing, meditation, and recognizing emotional patterns were particularly useful because they give readers something practical to work with rather than simply describing what trauma is.

Another thing I liked was the overall message that experiencing trauma does not have to define someone's entire life. The book acknowledges how painful and confusing these experiences can be while still leaving room for hope and personal growth. That balance made the workbook feel encouraging without making the process of healing sound easy or instant.

I can see this being a helpful resource for teens, parents, educators, or professionals looking for an accessible starting point for conversations about trauma and emotional wellbeing. It is compassionate, practical, and thoughtfully structured, and it encourages readers to take healing one step at a time.

[Amy Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resources for teenagers with trauma are difficult to find and have typically been directed to the practitioner. Not anymore. "Trauma Recovery Workbook for Teens" is the clear, accessible, evidence-based resource we have needed. Dr. Vinall's clear, compassionate style comes through once again as she walks the reader through the psychoeducation component of trauma, but more importantly, how to address and resolve it. The exercises are easy to understand, purposeful, and evidence-based.

This book is presented in clear, readable language as well as thoughtfully designed graphics and layout that make the material even more accessible to readers from early teens through adults. I am excited to have this ready for adolescent counseling clients and their parents and will be sharing it with colleagues with my highest recommendation. I am also keeping a personal copy in our home library so my own children can access this, as trauma awareness is a critical mental health skill.

Disclaimer: I was provided an advance copy of this book for review, however, this did not affect my opinion or review in any way.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the exercises in this book were very helpful. The discussion of trauma as not simply a one-off experience could have been expanded some. For many, their trauma comes from ongoing experiences of abuse, so frequent statements referencing one's singular traumatic experience fell somewhat flat. I used this book as the basis for a homeschool health section and found it quite useful for that purpose.

[Jesse Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible for teens and adults, a well-structured overview of trauma and practical activities to work through symptoms. *Highly recommend going through the activities with the support of a therapist - as the author also suggests. Could be a useful tool for a parent or family member trying to understand symptoms and possible coping strategies.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is aimed towards teens who have experienced trauma, but if you are trauma-focused clinician, you can still get a lot out of this book. The information is presented in a way that can be relayed to a teen (assuming they are not neurodivergent). In addition, there are activities that can be done in session, or as 'homework.' This is a great book for those who work with teens!

[Patricia Grenelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational and informative book about trauma, its effects, causes, resulting consequences, and methods for healing. Excellent resource for teens as well as any age group. The exercises contained in it are unique and enjoyable to do. It not only addresses breathing, yoga, mindfulness, and self talk, but it is a primer for Cognitive Behavioral approach to treating trauma.