Better Sleep Can Build Emotional Resilience, TheAtlantic.com – A study shows that sound sleep might protect against fear and distress while a poor night’s sleep is more likely to make a person traumatized later on. The study trained subjects to be afraid of rooms that were lit by certain colors and then analyze their sleep. During the fear-learning task, subjects who spent more time in REM sleep had less connectivity with the fear center of the brain, the amygdala, and the brain regions responsible for encoding memories. The more well rested the subject, the less “hard-wired” the fears in the brain were.
Dispelling Myths About Tapping Interventions Changing Traumatic Memories, AcesConnection.com -- Matrix Reimprinting (MR) is a therapeutic intervention that is showing great promise in addressing psychosocial and physical effects of adverse events. MR involves changing the perception of a memory of a traumatic event. The perception of the event refers the emotions that arise, the feeling, and bodily response to thinking of the memory. Through the MR process, individuals keep the original memory but release the effects of the trauma, gaining wisdom, knowledge, and resiliency. If the hyperlink does not work, please copy and paste this link in your browser http://www.acesconnection.com/blog/the-promise-of-post-traumatic-growth
The Promise of Post-Traumatic Growth, AcesConnection.com – Echo is hosting a conference in March 2018 discussing the resiliency and post-traumatic growth. The conference is led by Jim Rendon who discusses what he learned from interviewing survivors and research for his book about post-traumatic growth. Four factors that lead to post-traumatic growth include brutally honest optimism, perception of control over events, coping style, and a strong sense of self. If the hyperlink does not work, please copy and paste this link in your browser http://www.acesconnection.com/blog/the-promise-of-post-traumatic-growth
Better Sleep Can Build Emotional Resilience, TheAtlantic.com – A study shows that sound sleep might protect against fear and distress while a poor night’s sleep is more likely to make a person traumatized later on. The study trained subjects to be afraid of rooms that were lit by certain colors and then analyze their sleep. During the fear-learning task, subjects who spent more time in REM sleep had less connectivity with the fear center of the brain, the amygdala, and the brain regions responsible for encoding memories. The more well rested the subject, the less “hard-wired” the fears in the brain were.
Dispelling Myths About Tapping Interventions Changing Traumatic Memories, AcesConnection.com -- Matrix Reimprinting (MR) is a therapeutic intervention that is showing great promise in addressing psychosocial and physical effects of adverse events. MR involves changing the perception of a memory of a traumatic event. The perception of the event refers the emotions that arise, the feeling, and bodily response to thinking of the memory. Through the MR process, individuals keep the original memory but release the effects of the trauma, gaining wisdom, knowledge, and resiliency. If the hyperlink does not work, please copy and paste this link in your browser http://www.acesconnection.com/blog/the-promise-of-post-traumatic-growth
The Promise of Post-Traumatic Growth, AcesConnection.com – Echo is hosting a conference in March 2018 discussing the resiliency and post-traumatic growth. The conference is led by Jim Rendon who discusses what he learned from interviewing survivors and research for his book about post-traumatic growth. Four factors that lead to post-traumatic growth include brutally honest optimism, perception of control over events, coping style, and a strong sense of self. If the hyperlink does not work, please copy and paste this link in your browser http://www.acesconnection.com/blog/the-promise-of-post-traumatic-growth
Call to Action: Creating Cycles of Opportunity through ACEs Screening, CommunityCatalyst.org – This call to action emphasizes the health disparities and health inequity within many Black communities, and suggests that a validated ACEs screening tool would fill the need for a strategic approach that identifies and provides social services to at-risk families in order to build supportive caregiver relationships.
Promoting Self-Regulation in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Practice Brief, FPG.unc.edu – This brief defines self-regulation as “the act of managing thoughts and feelings to enable goal-directed actions,” explains the important role caregivers and mentors have in shaping self-regulation skills in adolescents and young adults, and describes the positive impacts good self-regulation can have on an individual.
Therapy Used for U.S. Veterans Finds Success Among Traumatized Immigrants, CenterForHealthJournalism.org – This article discusses the benefits of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for immigrants who have experienced trauma. It highlights unmet mental health needs of some undocumented immigrant communities and notes current efforts to create healing spaces, such as the UndocuHealing Project, for undocumented people in the United States.
Patient Preferences for Discussing Childhood Trauma in Primary Care, ThePermanenteJournal.org – This 2017 cross-sectional study assessed patient preferences for discussing traumatic experiences and PTSD with clinicians in underserved, predominantly Latino primary care patients. Researchers found that screening was acceptable to most primary care patients regardless of trauma exposure or positive PTSD screening.
Mindfulness May Rival Talk Therapy for A Variety of Mental Health Issues, Forbes.com – This article discusses preliminary research on the effect of mindfulness-based group training (MGT) versus standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and found that MGT was as effective as individual CBT for treating typical depression and anxiety symptoms.
What Are the Differences Between Trauma and Addiction, HuffingtonPost.com – This article describes the link between trauma and addiction, and highlights relevant research that supports this link. The definition of trauma is discussed in multiple contexts and the author calls for the integration of substance abuse, mental health, and chronic treatment in the field of behavioral health.
Practical Solution to Reduction in Life Expectancy, HuffingtonPost.com – When the Surgeon General’s Report came out linking cancer and smoking; many people said it would not matter because smoking was inevitable. We sometimes hear the same claims about domestic violence and child abuse because it has such a long history. The reality is that communities like San Diego, Nashville and Quincy, Massachusetts enjoyed a substantial reduction in domestic violence and child abuse by implementing best practices to stop domestic violence.
What Can Schools Do to Build Resilience in their Students? ChildTrends.org - There a variety of models of resilience out there, each with their research base and many have interventions to go along with them. Childe Trend’s researchers offered help to 11 states who have received federal Safe and Supportive School grants, by synthesizing the research and resources available on resilience in school.
On the Role of “Adverse Adult Experience” in Co-Occurring Disorders, TheFix.com – When we are curious enough to look past what is “wrong” with individuals deemed to suffer co-occurring issues, and we look around the corner at what they see and “what is happening” to them, we find that substance abuse and mental health issues often have a shared cause and result: isolation from the human community. Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) treats this issue as a central part of care.
Putting Resilience and Resilience Surveys Under the Microscope, ACEsConnection.com - What is the definition of resilience? How does it work and where does it come from. This article gives descriptions of resilience measurement tools, resilience research, and resilience surveys. The article makes the connection between ACEs status and resilience as a protective factor. It describes the Pediatric Integrated Care Collaborative, and its work with trauma survivors, and how to put resilience and protective factors into practice to benefit those who experience trauma. The article emphasizes the concept that protective factors and resilience can be improved in all children with any ACE score. Access article at http://www.acesconnection.com/blog/putting-resilience-and-resilience-surveys-under-the-microscope
Empirically Supported Treatments and Promising Practices, NCTSN.org – A compilation of fact sheets with descriptions of trauma-informed services, interventions, clinical treatment, and mental health interventions that aim to raise the standard of care for children and families experiencing trauma. This page also includes information about how the fact sheets were created, core components of the interventions, and how to use them.
Sesame Street Plans Social-Emotional Learning Program for Refugee Children, EdWeek.org – This article describes a new Sesame Workshop initiative created in partnership with the International Rescue Committee. The goal is to “deliver transformative early learning and social-emotional support to millions of refugee children in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria.” This project includes digital platforms and printed materials with relevant cultural content to be disseminated through schools, community centers, social protection programs, and health clinics.
Activists, advocates at the White House screen “Resilience,” address childhood trauma, ACEsConnection.com – A panel discussion and screening of Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope was held at the White House. The documentary chronicles the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) movement in the US. To access this resource copy and paste the following link into your browser http://www.acesconnection.com/g/washington-dc-metro-area-aces-connection/blog/activists-advocates-at-white-house-screen-resilience-address-childhood-trauma
‘Ambassadors of Hope’ Trauma-sensitive schools understand the whole child, DerbyInformer.com. Teachers that understand the brain and the way that trauma effects the brain can better regulate child behaviors in the classroom. Students are less likely to change their behavior when teachers employ punitive punishment, especially when it is public. New strategies have been proven to improve behaviors and enhance the education environment.
Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency (ARC) Clinical Services. On this site, the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute provides details about ARC, a promising intervention for youth exposed to complex trauma. Information on this site includes an overview of what ARC it, how it is different form a manualized protocol, what it target, who can use it, and how interested individuals can learn more about ARC.
Breathing Exercises for Kids. In this YouTube video, Leah Kalish, demonstrates 4 breathing exercise to help kids get centered, relaxed, and ground. For more information and videos go to http://Move-with-me.com.
CBITS Program.org. Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) is a school-based, group and individual intervention designed to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and behavioral problems, and to improve functioning, grades and attendance, peer and parent support, and coping skills. It was developed by a team of clinician-researchers from the RAND Corporation, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The site provides an overview of CBITS including its evidence and use, access to free resources, and information for registering for a CBITS training course.
CTG Web. CTG Web is a web-based learning course for using Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with childhood traumatic grief.
CPT Web. CPT Web is a web-based learning course for Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
EMDR Therapist Network. The EMDR Therapist Network began at a Portland, Oregon EMDR study group meeting in the spring of 2006. The network site provides education for the public and service providers on EMDR as a treatment modality for trauma, a search tool to find EMDR therapist, and access to EMDR training.
Five Ways How to Boost Cognitive Reserve. In cognitive reserve, neurons and cells change the way they communicate with each other which can compensate for damage done by injury or trauma.Just like the brain has the ability to bypass damage and create new pathways on its own, there are ways you can help it to improve cognitive reserve and cognitive function.
How Childhood Trauma Can Contribute to Developing Cancer as an Adult, Vice.com. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study has been used to connect incidence of toxic stress in childhood with poor physical health outcomes in adulthood. Once participants are able to address the stress associated with past trauma it becomes easier to work toward improved health.
Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma for Adolescents (ITCT-A). ITCT-A is an evidence-based, multi-modal trauma therapy for adolescents that integrates treatment principles from attachment theory, the Self-Trauma Model, affect regulation skills development, and components of cognitive behavioral therapy. It involves structured protocols and interventions that are customized to the specific issues of each client, since complex posttraumatic outcomes are notable for their variability across different individuals and different environments. The site provides details about ITCT-A, treatment outcome information, and access to training resources.
Me Moves. Me Moves is a self-regulation tool from Wisconsin that is being used in many schools. It uses music, images, movement and expressive features of emotion to help people of all ages, but especially children, self-regulate. Many teachers use this as a tool for transitioning children from an energetic activity, like gym, to a quiet, cognitive focused activity.
Move with Me. Movement & Mindfulness Resources for Pre-K – Gread 2. Move with Me is about young children at home and at school growing physically fit, emotionally stable, and learning able by enjoying fun active play & exercise instruction that combines stories with yoga, creative movement, and Brain Gym (R) adapted self-care / self-regulate techniques. We focus our resources for early childhood because preschool is a key time in which to instill healthy physical activity habits and self-regulation skills that will last a lifetime and because preschoolers who are overweight or obese are 5 times more likely than their peers to stay that way.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). The NCTSN was established to improve access to care, treatment, and services for traumatized children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. The site provides details about trauma types, extensive resources including education, research and training materials, and products. In addition, the NCTSN provides details about available trauma-specific treatments and their evidence.
PCIT International. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an empirically-supported treatment for young children with emotional and behavioral disorders that places emphasis on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship and changing parent-child interaction patterns. PCIT International was created to promote fidelity in the practice of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy through well-conducted research, training, and continuing education of therapists and trainers. By creating an interface between the scholarly activities of PCIT researchers and the expertise of front-line clinicians, PCIT International promotes healthy family functioning.
PCIT Training Opportunities. Until recently, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has been taught and practiced largely within a small number of University-affiliated laboratories. Our PCIT experts at OUHSC are currently investigating an alternative co-therapy PCITtraining model using internet-based remote live consultation. In this approach, internet telemedicine technology is used to allow supervisors to observe sessions from a remote location many miles away, directly coach practitioners during the session, and take over the session to coach parents directly and demonstrate PCITtechniques, all in real-time.
Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports. The Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is established by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to define, develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-tiered approach to Technical Assistance that improves the capacity of states, districts and schools to establish, scale-up and sustain the PBIS framework. Emphasis is given to the impact of implementing PBIS on the social, emotional and academic outcomes for students with disabilities.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Adolescents (PE-A). Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Adolescents is a psychiatric intervention for teens who have had a traumatic experience and developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It consists of exposing the patient to things that make them nervous, as well as to memories of the traumatic event.
The Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute. Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is a potent psychobiological method for resolving trauma symptoms and relieving chronic stress. It is the life's work of Dr. Peter A. Levine, resulting from his multidisciplinary study of stress physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics, together with over 45 years of successful clinical application. SE offers a framework to assess where a person is "stuck" in the fight, flight, freeze, or collapse responses and provides clinical tools to resolve these fixated physiological states.
SPARCS. Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS) is a 16-session group intervention that was specifically designed to address the needs of chronically traumatized adolescents who may still be living with ongoing stress and may be experiencing problems in several areas of functioning. The site provides an overview of SPARCS, its components, training information, useful links, and answers to FAQs.
TF-CBT Web. TF-CBT Web is a web-based learning course for Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
TF-CBT Consult. TF-CBT Consult is a consultation tool for Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute. The Trauma Center is a program of Justice Resource Institute (JRI), a large nonprofit organization dedicated to social justice by offering hope and promise of fulfillment to children, adults, and families who are at risk of not receiving effective services essential to their safety, progress, and/or survival. The Executive Director of the Trauma Center is Joseph Spinazzola, Ph.D., and the Medical Director and Founder of the Trauma Center is Bessel van der Kolk, MD, who is an internationally recognized leader in the field of psychological trauma. In addition to clinical services, The Trauma Center offers training, consultation, and educational programming for post-graduate mental health professionals. The Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies has state-of-the-art seminars, lectures and supervision groups. The monthly Lecture Series is open to all mental health professionals.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Therapist Certification Program. In order to encourage and sustain successful implementation, it is necessary for clinicians to have ongoing follow-up supervision or consultation with experts in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) or involvement in TF-CBT learning collaboratives or communities. These follow-up experiences assist clinicians to identify the challenges and barriers in implementing TF-CBT, attain success in overcoming these challenges and barriers, develop creative strategies of implementing the TF-CBT components and increase the likelihood that clinicians will implement the model with fidelity. The TF-CBT Therapist Certification Program assists clinicians in becoming certified. Users have access to knowledge tests, consultation and training information, and can be added to the database of certified TF-CBT clinicians.
Trauma Treatment. The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse. The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse (CEBC) helps to identify and disseminate information regarding evidence-based practices and treatments relevant to child welfare. Evidence-based practices/treatments are those that have empirical research supporting their efficacy. The CEBC provides guidance on evidence-based practices/treatments to statewide agencies, counties, public and private organizations, and individuals. This guidance is provided in simple straightforward formats reducing the user's need to conduct literature searches, review extensive literature, or understand and critique research methodology.
Journeys of Resilience: From adverse childhoods to achieving in adulthood, Superu.govt.nz – The report was created to address two questions: How many at-risk families go on to achieve positive education and employment outcomes? And what are the key factors that influence the achievement of those positive outcomes? The study found that individual factors such as positive attitudes, beliefs and aspirations, interpersonal factors such as supportive relationship and networks and community/societal factors such as responsive government and community services play a key role in building resilience and achieving positive outcomes.
Journeys of Resilience: From adverse childhoods to achieving in adulthood, Superu.govt.nz – The report was created to address two questions: How many at-risk families go on to achieve positive education and employment outcomes? And what are the key factors that influence the achievement of those positive outcomes? The study found that individual factors such as positive attitudes, beliefs and aspirations, interpersonal factors such as supportive relationship and networks and community/societal factors such as responsive government and community services play a key role in building resilience and achieving positive outcomes.
New psychology study finds adverse childhood experiences transfer from one generation to the next, UCalgary.ca: A new study finds that mother’s early history, facing four or more ACEs before the age of 18, leads to an increase chance of pregnancy and postpartum problems. These health risks then can impact the infant’s health and development. In order to break the cycle, there needs to be dialogues and supportive environments to protect the health of mothers, children, and future generations.
For girls in juvenile hall, ‘trauma-informed’ yoga is a saving grace, TheMercuryNews.com: The Art of Yoga Project, an organization that brings yoga into juvenile halls, uses a specific technique: trauma-informed yoga. This strategy changes how yoga is taught, and which poses are used, to reduce stress, and rewire the brain. The article highlights the benefits of yoga in these populations, and how it has helped the participants readjust.
From the NCTSN Co-Directors: An Invitation to Explore the Network’s Data and Evaluation Initiatives, NCTSN.org – Special edition of IMPACT discussing the role of data and evaluation initiatives to improve the quality of care for children who experienced trauma, improve delivery of care, and raise awareness of the impact of trauma. This issue suggests partnering with foster care parents to collect data, use data to assess trauma impact and recovery in the juvenile justice system, collecting data about refugee trauma, and other strategies.
ARC - Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency. (PDF, 276KB). This National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) factsheet provides information about ARC, a promising intervention for youth exposed to complex trauma.
CBITS - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Trauma in Schools. (PDF, 322KB). This National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) factsheet provides information about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), an intervention that is used in schools to address child trauma.
CBITS - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Trauma in Schools. This National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) factsheet provides information about the research evidence that supports CBITS as a trauma intervention.
Child Exposure to Trauma: Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions Addressing Maltreatment. (PDF, 3MB). Goldman Fraser J, et al. Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 89. AHRQ Publication No. 13-EHC002-EF. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. April 2013. This review assess the comparative effectiveness of interventions for children age 0 to 14 exposed to maltreatment in addressing child well-being outcomes, assesses the comparative effectiveness of interventions with different treatment characteristics, for child and caregiver subgroups, and for engaging and retaining children and/or caregivers in treatment, and assesses harms associated with interventions in this population.
CPP - Child Parent Psychotherapy. This National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) factsheet provides information about Child-Parent Psychotherapy, a child trauma intervention targeting children through age 5.
Child-Parent Psychotherapy in the Context of the Developmental Disability and Medical Service System. Williams M., Carson M., Zamora I., Harley E.K, Lakatos P.P. Pragmatic Case Studies in Psychotherapy. 2014; 10(3):212-226. Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), an evidence-based dyadic treatment for young children who have experienced trauma, shows promise in intervening with children with developmental disabilities, as illustrated in the cases we described of 14-month-old "James" and 6-year-2-month-old "Juan." In their thoughtful commentary on these cases, Ghosh Ippen, Noroña, & Lieberman (2014) discuss additional clinical considerations important to the use of CPP with this population. In a second response, Williams and co-authors explore further implementation of CPP in the context of the developmental disability and medical service systems. They highlight the importance of resilience in parents’ responses to their child’s developmental disability, contributions from pediatric psychology to understanding pediatric medical traumatic stress, infusing relationship-based approaches in collaboration with other service systems, and addressing barriers to service access in ethnic minority families. Finally, they provide recommendations for training and fidelity monitoring when applying CPP to children with developmental disabilities and their families.
Child Physical Abuse and Sexual Abuse: Guidelines for Treatment (Revised Report: April 26, 2004). (PDF, 428KB). Saunders, B.E., Berliner, L., & Hanson, R.F. (Eds.). (2004). Child Physical and Sexual Abuse: Guidelines for Treatment. Charleston, SC: National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center. These Guidelines seek to present the best available information about the mental health treatment of cases of physical and sexual abuse in a concise and consistent format that can be easily used by practitioners and other interested professionals. The Guidelines seek to cover the most common approaches, the protocols with the most empirical support, theoretically sound and promising treatments that may not have been tested empirically, and some practices that raise concern.
Closing the quality chasm in child abuse treatment: identifying and disseminating best practices. (PDF, 2MB). The findings of the Kauffman Best Practices Project to help children heal from child abuse. March 2004. This guide seeks to inform readers about evidence-based treatments for child trauma. This guide also discusses barriers to implementing best practices and strategies that practitioners can use to implement evidence-based practices.
Development and Implementation of Trauma-Informed Programming in Youth Residential Centers Using the ARC Framework. (PDF, 595KB). Hodgdon, H.B., Kinniburgh, K., Gabowitz, D., Blaustein, M.E., & Spinazzola, J. Journal of Family Violence. 2013; 679-692. This project describes the application of an evidenced-based, trauma-informed treatment framework, Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC), with complexly traumatized youth in residential treatment. The processes of implementing the ARC model into clinical and milieu programming at two residential treatment programs are described. Particular attention is paid to system-level processes and strategies for embedding ARC in a sustainable manner.
Dynamic adaptation process to implement an evidence-based child maltreatment intervention. Aarons GA, Green AE, Palinkas LA, et al. Implementation Science. 2012;7(31):1-9. This paper describes a study of the feasibility and acceptability of an implementation approach, the Dynamic Adaptation Process (DAP), designed to allow for evidence-based practice (EBP) adaptation and system and organizational adaptations in a planned and considered, rather than ad hoc, way. The DAP involves identifying core elements and adaptable characteristics of an EBP, then supporting implementation with specific training on allowable adaptations to the model, fidelity monitoring and support, and identifying the need for and solutions to system and organizational adaptations. In addition, this study addresses a secondary concern, that of improving EBP model fidelity assessment and feedback in real-world settings.
EMDR and the Treatment of Complex PTSD: A Review. (PDF, 149KB). Korn DL. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. 2009;3(4):264-278. The diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) covers a wide range of conditions, ranging from patients suffering from a one-time traumatic accident to those who have been exposed to chronic traumatization and repeated assaults beginning at an early age. This article examines the body of literature on the treatment of complex PTSD and chronically traumatized populations, with a focus on EMDR treatment and research. A phase-oriented EMDR model for working with these patients is presented, highlighting the role of resource development and installation (RDI) and other strategies that address the needs of patients with compromised affect tolerance and self-regulation. EMDR treatment goals, procedures, and adaptations for each of the various treatment phases (stabilization, trauma processing, reconnection/development of self-identity) are reviewed. Finally, reflections on the strengths and unique advantages of EMDR in treating complex PTSD are offered along with suggestions for future investigations.
Evidence-based treatments in child abuse and neglect. (PDF, 147KB). Chaffin M, Friedrich B. Children and Youth Services Review. 2004;26:1097-1113. This article summarizes the background and basic concepts of evidence-based practice (EBP), contrasts EBPs with traditional approaches, and examines how EBPs fit within child welfare and child maltreatment related service systems. The emerging recommendations of best practice workgroups are reviewed, along with evidence across a range of child welfare target areas, including prevention, treatment and foster care settings. The article concludes with a review of challenges and possible solutions for implementing EBPs in child welfare and child maltreatment related service systems.
Facts on Traumatic Stress and Children with Developmental Disabilities. (PDF, 130KB). National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). Adapted Trauma Treatment Standards Work Group. 2004. This document highlights facts on traumatic stress in children with developmental disabilities, including incidence of trauma, special characteristics of the population that influence trauma, possible reasons of higher incidence of mental illness, suggestions for modifying evaluation and therapy for this population, special diagnostic considerations, and suggestions for therapy.
Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma for Adolescents (ITCT-A) Treatment Guide. 2nd Edition. (PDF, 2MB). Briere J and Lanktree C. 2013. Available Online. This treatment guide, now in its second edition, has been developed to assist clinicians in the evaluation and treatment of adolescents who have experienced multiple forms of psychological trauma, often in the context of negative living conditions such as poverty, deprivation, and social discrimination. The intervention described in this guide, Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma for Adolescents (ITCT-A), is being adopted by a growing number of treatment centers for adolescent trauma survivors in the United States and beyond.
Mental Health Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect: The Promise of Evidence-Based Practice. (PDF, 139KB). Shipman K, Taussig H. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:417-428. This paper discusses why evidence-based practices (EBPs) are essential to addressing child abuse and neglect, what an EBP is, how they are identified, and what EBPs are available to address child maltreatment.
Moving from Evidence to Action. Domestic Violence Agencies and Shelters. (PDF, 2MB). The Safe Start Center Series on Children Expose to Violence. Issue Brief #5. This issue brief translates emerging research and program practices into action steps for providers to design and implement programs in domestic violence shelters and agencies. The goal is to build the capacity of domestic violence shelters and agencies to offer sensitive, timely, and appropriate interventions that enhance children’s safety, promote their resilience, and ensure their well-being.
NCCTS Leadership: Evidence-Based Practices. (PDF, 88KB). National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), 2009. This brief highlights the role the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (NCCTS) has had in disseminating evidence-based practices.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Treatment of Separation Anxiety Disorder in Young Children: A Pilot Study. (PDF, 459KB). Choate, M.L, Pincus, D.B., Eyberg, S.M., & Barlow, D.H. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 2005;12: 126-135. This article describes a pilot study to apply Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to the treatment of separation anxiety disorder (SAD). The results of this study support research delineating the important contribution of family factors to anxiety in childhood. Several mechanisms are proposed that may account for the dramatic decrease in separation-anxious behaviors seen in children during PCIT, including increased levels of child control, increases social reinforcement of brave behaviors, improved parent-child attachment, and decreased levels of parent anxiety. Results of this study provide promising initial evidence that PCIT may be efficacious for treating young children with SAD.
Psychotherapeutic Options for Traumatized Children. (PDF, 40KB). Cohen, J.A. & Mannarion, A.P. (2010). Current Opinions in Pediatrics, 22(5):605-609. This review addresses two issues. First, it updates readers on new treatments for traumatized children. Second, it examines the breadth of target problems that current evidence-based treatments for child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) effectively address in the context of current diagnostic uncertainty. Specifically, changes have been proposed to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for PTSD and a proposal has been submitted to add a new developmental trauma disorder to optimally describe the range of outcomes experienced by traumatized children.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. (PPT, 1MB). Center for Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents, Allegheny General Hospital, Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA. PowerPoint: Mannarino, A.P. & Cohen J.A This presentation discusses the components of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Information about TF-CBT, the target population, misconceptions, and empirical support are also provided.
Trauma focused CBT for children with co-occurring trauma and behavior problems. (PDF, 470KB). Cohen, J.A., & Mannarino, A.P. (2010). Child Abuse & Neglect, 34, 215-224. This manuscript describes practical strategies for managing behavior problems in the context of trauma-focused evidence-based treatment (EBT) using a commonly implemented EBT for traumatized children.
Treatment of Complex Trauma in Young Children: Developmental and Cultural Considerations in Application of the ARC Intervention Model. (PDF, 277KB). Arvidson, K., Kinniburgh, K., Howard, K., Spinazzola, J., Strothers, H., Evans, M., et al. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma. 2011;4(1):34-51. This article introduces the ARC model and describes its application with young children of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds involved in the child protection system due to maltreatment. This article presents preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the ARC model derived from program evaluation conducted at a community-based clinic.
Yoga and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. An Interview with Bessel van der Kolk, MD. (PDF, 436KB). Dr. Bessel van der Kolk is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He has pioneered the use of Yoga as a therapy that is helping these individuals to work through their PTSD and regain a sense of mastery. He discusses mind-body connections in trauma, how Yoga works and precautions for teaching trauma-sensitive Yoga students.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk (2014). Bessel van deer Kolk has spent over 3 decades working with survivors. In this book, he transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain's wiring - specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control and trust. He shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, mindfulness techniques, play, yoga, and other therapies. Based on Dr. Van der Kolk's own research and that of other leading specialists, "The Body Keeps the Score” offers proven alternatives to drugs and talk therapy - and a way to reclaim lives.
Child-parent psychotherapy: 6 month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Lieberman, A.F., Gosh Ippen, C., & Van Horn, P. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2006;45(8): 913-918. This study examined the durability of improvement in child and maternal symptoms six months after the end of child-parent psychotherapy (CPP). The findings provide evidence of the efficacy and durability of CPP with the population studies and highlight the importance of a relationship focus in the treatment of traumatized preschoolers.
Clinician Knowledge and Utilization of Empirically-Supported Treatments for Maltreated Children. Allen, B., Gharagozloo L., & Johnson , J.C. Child Maltreatment. 2011; 17(1): 11-21. The study reports on the results of a nationwide survey of 262 clinicians serving maltreated children in the United States. From a provided list, clinicians were asked to identify interventions they believed possessed adequate empirical support, as well as the interventions they commonly used, were trained to use, or would like to receive training to use. Results showed that clinicians generally are unable to identify empirically-supported treatments (ESTs), and many of the interventions clinicians reported most commonly using and being trained to use are not typically considered to be empirically-supported (with the exception of Trauma-Focused Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy. Implications of these findings for dissemination and policy are discussed.
Complex Histories and Complex Presentations: Implementation of a Manually-Guided Group Treatment for Traumatized Adolescents. Habib, M., Labruna, V., & Newman, J. Journal of Family Violence. 2013;28:717-728. This article describes the core components of Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS), a manually-guided trauma-informed group treatment, and provides clinical examples within residential facilities for adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties and extensive victimization histories. Preliminary data on self-reported emotional, behavioral, and posttraumatic stress symptoms are presented.
Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. Silverman, W.K., Ortiz, C.D., Viswesvaran, C., Burns, B.J., Kolko, D.J., Putnam, F.W. et al. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. 2008;37(1):156-183. This article reviews the status of psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents who have been exposed to traumatic events. The review includes articles from 1993-2007.
Evidence-based treatments for trauma among culturally diverse foster care youth: Treatment retention and outcomes. Weiner, D. A., Schneider, A., & Lyons, J. S. Children and Youth Services Review. 2009;31(11): 1199–1205. This study describes the implementation of three evidence-based treatments addressing traumatic stress symptoms within a wraparound foster care program in Illinois. The three treatments that were analyzed include CPP, TF-CBT, and SPARCS. All three evidence-based treatments were effective in reducing symptoms and improving functioning among minority youth. Implementation issues, including challenges and culturally competent accommodations, are discussed.
Evidence-based treatments for traumatized children and adolescents. Schneider ST, Grilli SF, Schneider JR. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2013;15(1):332. This article reviews recent advances in empirically supported psychotherapeutic treatments for children and adolescents experiencing trauma and provides a brief summary of available interventions, as well as a context for their use. This article highlights the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s recent practice guidelines for trauma treatment and discusses their implications for clinicians, including the benefits of involving caregivers in treatment and the rationale for using practices that are specifically trauma-focused as first-line intervention. The authors also discuss the status of research on the real-world implementation of these therapies and the need for further research, particularly regarding clinician knowledge and use of empirically supported practices, potential stepped-care approaches to trauma treatment, and the need to reduce attrition in child trauma research and practice.
Giving a voice to traumatized youth-Experiences with Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Dittmann, I., & Jensen, T.K. Child Abuse & Neglect. 2013. The objective of this study was to explore traumatized youths’ experiences of receiving TF-CBT. Findings showed how an initial fear of talking about traumatic events and not knowing what to expect from therapy was reduced when the youth experienced the therapist as empathetic and knowledgeable. Talking to the therapist was experienced as positive because of the therapist's expertise, neutrality, empathy, and confidentiality. Talking about the trauma was perceived as difficult but also as most helpful. Learning skills for reducing stress was also perceived as helpful. Important change processes were described as resuming normal functioning and getting “back on track,”, or as acquiring new perspectives and “moving forward.”
Helping Traumatized Families. The new edition offers clinicians a unified, evidence-based theory of the systemic impact of traumatic stress and details a comprehensive approach for helping families by promoting their natural healing resources.
Honoring children, making relatives: the cultural translation of parent-child interaction therapy for American Indian and Alaska Native families. BigFoot D.S., & Funderburk, B.W. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 2014;43(4):309-318. The Indian Country Child Trauma Center, as part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, designed a series of American Indian and Alaska Native transformations of evidence-based treatment models. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) was culturally adapted/translated to provide an effective treatment model for parents who have difficulty with appropriate parenting skills or for their children who have problematic behavior. The model, Honoring Children-Making Relatives, embeds the basic tenets and procedures of PCIT in a framework that supports American Indian and Alaska Native traditional beliefs and parenting practices that regard children as being the center of the Circle. This article provides an overview of the Honoring Children-Making Relatives model, reviews cultural considerations incorporated into ICCTC's model transformation process, and discusses specific applications for Parent-Child Interaction Therapy within the model.
Mitigating Intergenerational Trauma Within the Parent-Child Attachment. Friend, J. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. 2012;33(2): 114-127. This paper describes the work done with Ben and his family at the Hobart Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, drawing predominantly on three therapeutic modalities: Theraplay, Family Attachment Narrative Therapy and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. The work enabled Ben's mother to navigate the aftermath of her own trauma history in order to heal Ben's attachment trauma. Information about his therapy sessions and his interaction with family members is discussed.
Treatment Considerations for Clinicians in Applying Evidence-Based Practice to Complex Presentations in Child Trauma. Amaya-Jackson L and DeRosa RR. Journal of Traumatic Stress. 2007;20(4):379-390. Professionals in the child trauma field, eager to bring best practices to children and their families who have suffered from traumatic life events, have developed a number of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) and promising practices available for adoption and implementation into community practice. Clinicians and researchers alike have raised questions about "if, when, and how" these EBTs can be applied to some of the more complex trauma presentations seen in real world practice. The authors take an evidence-based practice approach, including critical appraisal of clients' unique needs and preferences, utilizing applicable trauma treatment core components and current EBTs, and emphasizing monitoring strategies of client progress, particularly when needing to adapt EBTs for select clients.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Adolescents with PTSD: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences, Therapist Guide. Foa EB, Chrestman KR, Gilboa-Schechtman E. This program is specifically intended for adolescents suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. Clients are exposed to safe but anxiety-provoking situations as a way of overcoming their trauma-related fears. Recounting the memory of the trauma also helps clients emotionally process their traumatic experiences in order to diminish PTSD symptoms. The workbook is designed for adolescent use and includes teen-friendly forms to reinforce the skills learned in therapy.
Strengthening Family Coping Resources: Intervention for Families Impacted by Trauma. By Laurel Kiser. Strengthening Family Coping Resources (SFCR) uses a skill-building, multi-family group framework to teach constructive resources to families who have a high exposure to stress and trauma. As an intervention for high-risk families, SFCR can cause a reduction in symptoms of traumatic distress and behavior problems and help families demonstrate higher functioning. The SFCR manual is based on a systemic, family approach and uses empirically-supported trauma treatment that focuses on family ritual, storytelling, and narration, which improves communication and understanding within family members. The manual is organized into three accessible parts: 1) theoretical and empirical foundations of SFCR, 2) implementation and the clinical guidelines for conducting SFCR 3) session guidelines focused on the multi-family group versions of SFCR.
Utilization and Implementation of Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Maltreated Children. Allen, B., & Johnson, J.C. Child Maltreatment. 2011; 17: 80-85. This study describes the findings of a survey of 132 mental health clinicians in children’s advocacy centers across the US to determine the percentage of clinicians who are trained and utilize TF-CBT and the frequency with which TF-CBT components are implemented. The results from this study are discussed in the core context of continued dissemination efforts and implications for improving clinical practice.
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