Trauma-Focused Therapy with Children and Adolescents
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Trauma Psychology course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
**Abuse #
** Any action or behavior that results in harm or mistreatment of a child, including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Trauma-focused therapy for children and adolescents often addresses the impact of abuse on their mental health and well-being.
**Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) #
** Negative events or experiences in a child's life, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, that can have a lasting impact on their mental, emotional, and physical health. ACEs are often addressed in trauma-focused therapy to help children and adolescents cope with and overcome these experiences.
**Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) #
** A type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. In trauma-focused therapy with children and adolescents, CBT is often used to help them understand and manage their reactions to traumatic experiences.
**Confidentiality #
** The principle that the information shared between a therapist and client is private and should not be disclosed to others without the client's consent. In trauma-focused therapy with children and adolescents, confidentiality is an important aspect of building trust and ensuring the child feels safe.
**Emotional Regulation #
** The ability to manage and control one's emotions. Trauma-focused therapy often focuses on helping children and adolescents develop emotional regulation skills to cope with the effects of trauma.
**Exposure Therapy #
** A type of therapy that involves gradually and systematically exposing a person to the source of their fear or anxiety. In trauma-focused therapy with children and adolescents, exposure therapy may be used to help them confront and overcome their fears related to the traumatic experience.
**Family Therapy #
** A type of therapy that involves the entire family in the treatment process. In trauma-focused therapy with children and adolescents, family therapy can help address issues related to the traumatic experience and improve communication and relationships within the family.
**Neglect #
** The failure to provide for a child's basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or emotional support. Trauma-focused therapy for children and adolescents often addresses the impact of neglect on their mental health and well-being.
**Post #
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):** A mental health disorder that can occur after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, and changes in mood and behavior. Trauma-focused therapy for children and adolescents often focuses on treating PTSD.
**Play Therapy #
** A type of therapy that uses play as a means of communication and expression. In trauma-focused therapy with children and adolescents, play therapy can help them process and cope with their feelings related to the traumatic experience.
**Resilience #
** The ability to bounce back and recover from adversity. Trauma-focused therapy often focuses on helping children and adolescents build resilience to cope with the effects of trauma.
**Sexual Abuse #
** Any sexual act or behavior performed on or with a child without their consent. Trauma-focused therapy for children and adolescents often addresses the impact of sexual abuse on their mental health and well-being.
**Stress Management #
** Techniques and strategies used to manage and reduce stress. Trauma-focused therapy often includes stress management techniques to help children and adolescents cope with the effects of trauma.
**Trauma #
** A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have a lasting impact on a person's mental, emotional, and physical health. Trauma-focused therapy for children and adolescents focuses on helping them cope with and overcome the effects of trauma.
**Trauma #
Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT):** A type of therapy that combines cognitive behavioral therapy with trauma-focused interventions. TF-CBT is often used in trauma-focused therapy with children and adolescents to help them understand and manage their reactions to traumatic experiences.
**Trauma History #
** A person's past experiences of trauma, including the type, severity, and duration of the trauma. In trauma-focused therapy with children and adolescents, a thorough trauma history is often necessary to develop an effective treatment plan.
**Trust Building #
** The process of establishing a relationship based on trust and safety. In trauma-focused therapy with children and adolescents, trust building is an important aspect of therapy to help the child feel comfortable and secure.
** Vicarious Trauma #
** The impact of working with traumatized individuals on a therapist's own mental health and well-being. Trauma-focused therapy with children and adolescents requires therapists to be aware of and address vicarious trauma to provide effective care.
**Youth #
** A person between the ages of childhood and adulthood, typically considered to be between 12 and 18 years old. Trauma-focused therapy for children and adolescents focuses on addressing the unique needs and challenges of this age group.