Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: How It Helps Children Heal

Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a short-term evidence-based treatment that helps people deal with the impact of traumatic events. It was developed in the 1990s by psychiatrist Judith Cohen and psychologists Esther Deblinger and Anthony Mannarino to address the mental health needs of children and adolescents who had experienced sexual abuse, but it has since been expanded to include other traumatic life events as well and anyone of any age who has experienced them.

Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been proven to decrease symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, shame, and problem behavior challenges, as well as strengthen the relationship between the child and his or her non-offending caregiver.

The treatment module consists of eight components that need to be completed sequentially, and that can be summarized by the acronym PRACTICE. Sessions typically last about an hour, with the therapist spending thirty minutes with the child and thirty minutes with his or her caregiver.

In the conjoint parent-child sessions, the therapist will spend five to ten minutes alone with the child, five to ten minutes alone with the caregiver, and the remaining forty-fifty minutes with both.

P – Psychoeducation and parenting skills. The child and his or her non-offending caregiver learn about trauma and its impact. The child’s feelings are validated, and the caregiver is taught how to cope with the child’s responses to the trauma through training in child behavior management, positive parenting, and how to better communicate with the child.

R – Relaxation techniques. The child is taught relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation skills to help him or her cope with stress.

A – Affective expressions and regulation. Both the caregiver and child learn how to identify and express their thoughts and feelings, and are equipped with skills to help them manage their emotional reactions to reminders of the trauma in a healthy way.

C – Cognitive coping and processing. The therapist helps the child and caregiver understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches them how to identify inaccurate or dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors and replace them with healthier, more accurate ones.

T – Trauma narration and processing. The child shares details about the trauma with his or her caregiver. This can be done verbally, in written form, or through a creative medium.

I – In vivo exposure. The child is gradually exposed to situations that remind him or her of the trauma to help him or her develop skills to master his or her fears rather than avoid the triggers.

C – Conjoint parent-child sessions. The caregiver and child meet with the therapist to discuss the trauma in a safe supportive environment.

E – Enhancing personal safety and future development. The therapist helps the child and his or her caregiver develop strategies that will help build the child’s feelings of safety and trust and enable him or her to manage future stressors and/or triggers that remind him or her of the trauma.

If you have questions about this article on trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and/or would like to set up an appointment for you and your child to meet with a faith-based, trauma-informed counselor, please do not hesitate to give us a call.