Citation

Cohen JA, Mannarino AP. Child Adolesc. Ment. Health 2008; 13(4): 158-162.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1475-3588.2008.00502.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Trauma‐focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF‐CBT) for children and parents is an evidence based treatment approach for traumatised children. Evaluation of TF‐CBT includes several randomised controlled trials, effectiveness studies and ongoing studies for children experiencing sexual abuse, domestic violence, traumatic grief, terrorism, disasters and multiple traumas. The model of TF‐CBT described here is a flexible, components‐based model that provides children and parents with stress management skills prior to encouraging direct discussion and processing of children’s traumatic experiences. TF‐CBT components are summarised by the acronym PRACTICE: Psychoeducation, Parenting skills, Relaxation skills, Affective modulation skills, Cognitive coping skills, Trauma narrative and cognitive processing of the traumatic event(s), In vivo mastery of trauma reminders, Conjoint child‐parent sessions, and Enhancing safety and future developmental trajectory. Currently this model of TF‐CBT is being adapted and implemented both within the USA and internationally.