Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy
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Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy or counselling that aims at addressing the needs of children and adolescents (ages 3 to 18) with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other difficulties related to traumatic life events.[1] The goal of TF-CBT is to provide psychoeducation to both the child and the caregivers and help them to identify and cope with emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Research has shown TF-CBT to be effective in treating childhood Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and children who have experienced traumatic events.[2][3][4]
Contents
Description
TF-CBT is a treatment model that incorporates various trauma-sensitive intervention components.[5] It aims at individualizing TF-CBT techniques to children and their circumstances while maintaining therapeutic relationship with both the child and parent.[6] TF-CBT treatment can be used with children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic life events. It is a short-term treatment (typically 12-16 sessions) that combines trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral therapy strategies.[7] It can also be used as part of a larger treatment plan for children with other difficulties.[8] TF-CBT includes individual sessions for both the child and the parents, as well as parent-child joint sessions.
Major treatment components
Major components of TF-CBT include psycho-education about childhood trauma and individualizing relaxation skills. The therapeutic elements of TF-CBT are denoted by the “PRACTICE” acronym.[9]
- Psychoeducation and Parenting skills
- Relaxation
- Affective Expression and Regulation
- Cognitive Coping
- Trauma Narrative Development and Processing
- In Vivo Gradual Exposure
- Conjoint Parent-Child sessions
- Enhancing Safety and Future Development
Child-specific sessions
During the child therapy sessions, the therapist focuses on relaxation training such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation skills, emotion regulation (identifying feelings), a trauma narrative and processing (discussing the overwhelming events and associated feelings), as well as cognitive coping strategies (identifying and replacing negative thoughts).[10]
Parent-specific sessions
Parents or primary caregivers are considered as the central therapeutic agents for improvement in TF-CBT.[11] During the parent sessions, the therapist discusses the appropriateness of the treatment and safety plans with the parents and encourages positive parenting skills to maximize effective parenting.[12]
Parent-child conjoint sessions
During the conjoint sessions, the therapist shares the trauma narratives and challenges to incorrect/negative thoughts as a means to encourage and facilitate parent-child communication. The therapist would only intervene when inaccurate cognitions were not addressed.[13]
Evaluation of effectiveness
Randomized clinical trials examining the efficacy of TF-CBT have found it to be an effective treatment plan for a variety of disorders in both children and adolescents.[14][15] TF-CBT has been proven to effectively reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, externalizing behaviors, sexualized behaviors, and feelings of shame in traumatized children.[16] TF-CBT has been shown to improve positive parenting skills and support of the child through the enhancement of parent-child communication.[17] A study examining the combinatorial effect of TF-CBT with sertraline has found that there were only minimal benefits associated with adding sertraline to the treatment, providing evidence for an initial trial of TF-CBT before medication.[18]
Methods of access
Therapist
TF-CBT can be delivered by a variety of mental health professionals ranging from clinical social workers, counselors to psychologists and psychiatrists.[19] Qualified therapists are required to be trained and experienced in TF-CBT. Therapists can be trained by the online TF-CBT certified training course.[20]
Implementation and adaptations
Since its development in the 1980s, TF-CBT has been used by therapists in many countries such as Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden, United States, and Zambia.[21] It has also been used with children in the foster care system, with those who have suffered from traumatic life events, including the 9-11 terrorist attacks, and those who experienced Hurricane Katrina.[22] TF-CBT has also been adapted to different cultures, including Latino populations. The treatment manual book has been translated into a variety of languages, such as Dutch, German, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin.[23]
References
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