Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Who?

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention for children/adolescents (ages 6-18) and their caregiver(s) that have experienced or been impacted by trauma, stress, or adversity.

TF-CBT may be helpful when:

• A child or adolescent has significant emotional problems including (but not limited to) post-traumatic stress disorder, fear, anxiety, or depression related to traumatic life events
• A child or adolescent has experienced a single trauma or multiple traumas in their lives
• Caregivers would like help with parenting and improving the caregiver-child relationship following a traumatic or stressful event

How?

TF-CBT incorporates trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic principles and techniques. This therapy provides psychoeducation about trauma; supports the development of calming and emotion regulation skills; teaches and enhances adaptive cognitive coping strategies; while helping children/adolescents understand and integrate their stressful or traumatic experiences in a healthy manner. TF-CBT includes the participation of a non-offending caregiver and has been shown to improve the participating caregiver's personal distress about the child/adolescent's traumatic experience, effective parenting skills, and supportive interactions with their child.

For more information: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (nctsn.org)