What is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a treatment for children and adolescents, ages 3-18, who have been impacted by trauma. A trained TF-CBT therapist works with your child and a caregiver to learn new ways to cope with the stress experienced by the child. The goal of treatment is to reduce overall symptoms resulting from the trauma(s). TF-CBT treatment is typically short team, lasting about 4-8 months, and will include individual sessions for the child and adolescent, individual sessions for the caregiver, and joint sessions between the caregiver and child.
Who can benefit from TF-CBT?
TF-CBT helps children and adolescents, ages 3-18, overcome ongoing symptoms of trauma they have experienced or learned about. TF-CBT is designed to help children and adolescents who have experienced a variety of traumatic events, including the following:
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Domestic or community violence
- Neglect
- Traumatic grief
- Natural disasters
- Accidents
How can TF-CBT help?
A TF-CBT therapist will work to:
- Provide education on trauma and trauma reactions.
- Normalize the experience and develop a healthy view of the experience.
- Identify feelings and new ways to manage them.
- Develop relaxation skills and learn when to use them.
- Learn skills to increase safety in the future.
Who is involved in TF-CBT treatment?
Caregivers are actively included in treatment with their child and are key to successful outcomes. TF-CBT involves the child or adolescent that experienced the trauma, a caregiver, and a TF-CBT trained therapist to guide the treatment process. The treatment consists of individual sessions with the child, individual sessions with the caregiver, and joint sessions with the child and caregiver.
