TF-CBT

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therepay is a conjoined child and caregiver model used for children and teens experiencing clinically significant emotional and behavioral difficulties related to past traumatic events.

This treatment is designed to brief , at around 12 to 20 sessions and has specific goals. They include : learning effective coping skills for the emotions and behaviors connected to trauma, facing and resolving those issues in a safe and effective way, helping children & families effectively integrate their trauma to help them move on in a safe and healthy manner, reduces symptoms of PTSD and improve support, communication and parenting skills of the caregiver.

This treatment is designed coffee children 3 to 18 years old with a history of trauma. That trauma can include : experiencing or witnessing violence in home, school or community,  an unexpected or traumatic death of a loved one, car accident, animal attack , sexual/physical abuse or violence, experiencing a natural or man made disaster such as a flood or building collapse and exposure to war, combat or torture.

The child does not need a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Dosorder or any other trauma disorder for this treatment to be effective, but they do need 4 or more trauma symptoms or other trauma related problems. It is also effective if there is a co-morbid diagnosis of a trauma disorder and ADHD, Oppositional Defient Disorder (ODD) or Conduct Disorder (OD). There also needs to be consistent involvement from either a parent or caregiver.

This treatment is NOT for children with no history if trauma, no trauma related problems or severe cognitive challenges. Problems such as active suicidal ideation,significant substance abuse, severe aggressive beha for and danger to imminent safety must all be managed before starting treatment if they are present.

In principle TF-CBT is a components based practice where each component had a specific purpose that builds on the previous. It can be adapted to many different clinical settings, situations or families. Pacing is flexible and techniques are adaptable. Procedures and techniques should be adapted as necessary to accommodate cultural norms and values of each individual family. This is critical as treatment js family focused with nearly half of treatment involving a supportive caregiver. Treatment relies in a strong rheraputic alliance to develop skills and help the patient develop a strong sense of self-efficacy to help them move past their trauma so they are no longer overwhelmed by it.

  There are 9 components to treatment. They include psychoeducation, parenting skills,relaxation techniques, affect identification and regulation , cognitive coping, trauma narration and processing, in vivo mastery and enhancing safety and future development.

These components are delivered through caregiver involvement and gradual exposure during consistent weekly sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes.

TF-CBT has 3 stages. STABILIZATION includes psychoeducation, relaxation, affective expression and regulation, parenting skills and gradual exposure.  TRAUMA NARRATIVE includes creating the trauma narrative and processing it. The final stage INTEGRATION/CONSOLIDATION includes In Vivo mastory,and conjoint child-carrgiver enhancing future safety and development

Each phase should take up 1/3 of the treatment time with parenting skills and gradual exposure happening throught treatment.

Lastly there are 2 components to treatment fidelity and they are adherence and competence. Adherence-treatment must be conducted as developed ,appropriate for clients and caregivers with the session rare and components followed. Competence-entails the process of the procedures, techniques and skills are completed correctly and overseen by a clinical both knowledgeable and trained in the treatment.