Trauma-Focused Family Therapy With Children and Their Families

Abstract

Family life is considered to be a context in which children can safely learn life skills such as managing and directing their cognitive, physical, emotional, and behavioral responses to events as a way to achieve a sense of purpose and mastery in life. Traumatic events such as natural disasters, serious accidents, and violence in our homes, schools, or communities may alter an individual’s ability to manage cognitive, physical, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Trauma can significantly affect children and their families, impacting relationships, interactions, and their context. There is evidence to support the use of family therapy with children who have experienced trauma. Family support can improve interactions and relationships and can assist children in resolving trauma symptomology. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is professionally recognized as an evidence-based intervention. There are also TF-CBT intervention derivations that have been developed to support children experiencing trauma. TF-CBT and TF-CBT intervention derivations are explored in this article including core components of evidence-based trauma-focused family therapy necessary to support traumatized children and their families. Discussion also includes the importance and evidence-based support for honoring cultural diversity and including optimism and hope into family experiences as both a preventative and interventive measure to manage trauma symptomology.