Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Abstract

The chapter includes in-depth analysis of the development and utilization of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), as well as justification for its use in community-based settings, focusing on its versatility and relatively brief treatment term while describing the assets and limitations of the modality for use with children of incarcerated parents.

TF-CBT aims to reduce distress and resolve maladaptive cognition associated with trauma within 12–18 treatment sessions. Because of its versatility, TF-CBT became popular for community-based practitioners working with children and adolescents from diverse cultural backgrounds with challenging clinical presentations and complex family situations (Cohen et al., Psychiatr Times, XXII(10), 2006a; Cohen et al., Treating trauma and traumatic grief in children and adolescents. The Guilford Press, 2006b). With increasing clinical attention given to the emotional distress and complex trauma symptoms experienced by children of incarcerated parents such as difficulty forming attachments, problems with concentrating and slee**, inability to develop trust, and difficulty achieving identity (Manning, Crim Justice Ethics 30(3):267–287, 2011), this model presently offers a new option to practitioners who work specifically with this population. The model will allow for the children and parent/guardian to quickly engage in a process that safely explores the language and definitions of trauma and begins the healing process necessary to restore the child’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis both at home and at school.