When It's Used

TF-CBT was originally geared toward helping children who were the victims of sexual abuse, but its scope has widened to include children and adolescents who have experienced a single or repeated experiences of sexual, physical, or mental abuse or who have developed post traumatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety.

What To Expect

TF-CBT is a short-term intervention that generally lasts anywhere from 8 to 25 sessions and will take place at Hibiscus Haven.

TF-CBT techniques are used to help modify distorted or unhelpful thinking and negative reactions and behaviors. Learning to challenge invasive thoughts of guilt and fear can help a person to reorganize their thinking in a healthier and happier way.

Research comparing TF-CBT to other treatment models shows significantly greater gains in well-being for children and adults.

How It Works

Early trauma can lead to guilt, anger, feelings of powerlessness, self-harm, acting out, depression, and anxiety. Post-traumatic stress disorder, which affects children and adults, can manifest in several ways, such as negative recurring thoughts about the traumatic experience, emotional numbness, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and extreme physical and emotional responses to anything that triggers a memory of the trauma.

By integrating the theories and techniques of several therapeutic interventions, TF-CBT can address and improve the symptoms of post-traumatic stress in individuals. Core features of TF-CBT treatment include:

• Psychoeducation, which teaches the victim about the normal reactions to traumatic experiences. This can help them reduce feelings of guilt or culpability for what happened.
• Coping skills, including relaxation exercises like deep breathing, mindfulness, acceptance, identifying and redirecting thoughts, and other methods.
• Gradual exposure, which involves gradually introducing the patient to memories of their traumatic experience, with the goal of reconditioning their response to triggers and easing emotional distress.
• Cognitive processing, which can include developing skills to recontextualize unhelpful feelings and thoughts and regulate emotions.
• Caregiver involvement, which may include rebuilding trusting adult relationships for the child and training the caregiver in how to best be a resource for the child.

The goal of the treatment is to help the individual develop a sense of safety and security and to repair or develop healthy social skills.