Integrated Model of Psychotherapy for Abused Children (From APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment, P 104-118, 1996, John Briere, Lucy Berliner, et al, eds. - See NCJ-172299)

• NCJ Number: 172305
• Author(s): W N Friedrich
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In treating abused children, psychotherapists need to assess the presence of behavioral problems immediately after treatment and 3 to 6 months later, to document the amount of therapy and whether abuse was discussed, to invite other clinicians to collaborate to expand sample size and intervention types, and to share findings.

Abstract

Psychotherapists also need to be knowledgeable of theories and associated techniques that target specific symptoms presented by abused children and should evaluate treatment effectiveness using such techniques as goal attainment scaling. An appropriate treatment model is necessary since abused children exist in the family context. An integrated model is presented that subsumes both traumagenic factors and post-trauma stress disorder models in the family context and that applies attachment theory to the onset and outcome of abuse requires to examine family interactions. Attachment-related treatment suggestions are made in the areas of individual, group, and family therapy. The dysregulating nature of child abuse and symptoms reflecting dysregulation are examined. Treatment techniques derived from dysregulation theory and self-perception theory are described. A synopsis of selected treatment techniques is appended. 49 references