An Attachment-Informed Approach to Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is a widely utilized evidence-based practice for treating children exhibiting symptoms of trauma. The model is theoretically grounded in principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and incorporates a safe caregiver throughout treatment. TF-CB...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical social work journal 2019-12, Vol.47 (4), p.343-352
Main Author: Pleines, Kristin E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attachment
Attachment theory
Behavior modification
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Caregivers
Children
Clinical Psychology
Cognition
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive therapy
Educational programs
Evidence-based practice
Original Paper
Parent-child relations
Personality and Social Psychology
Psychology
Social services
Symptoms
Training
Trauma
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Summary:Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is a widely utilized evidence-based practice for treating children exhibiting symptoms of trauma. The model is theoretically grounded in principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and incorporates a safe caregiver throughout treatment. TF-CBT’s use of a safe parental figure is supported by attachment theory, but the model does not fully address the complex needs of the families frequently served by social service organizations. Through the lens of attachment, the TF-CBT model holds more potential by directly supporting the parent/child bond and enhancing a caregiver’s role as a secure base. As the field of neuroscience advances rapidly, new research supports attachment based interventions, and thus, also supports the importance of enhancing the parent child bond in trauma treatment. The purpose of this paper is to highlight ways that attachment theory, if made more explicit in training and education programs, could enhance clinicians’ understanding and involvement of the caregiver in TF-CBT, thus making the model more applicable to families who have experienced complex, intergenerational trauma. An overview of literature related to attachment and trauma and the efficacy of TF-CBT will be provided, as well as a case illustration integrating TF-CBT and attachment principles with a highly complex family.
ISSN:0091-1674
1573-3343
DOI:10.1007/s10615-019-00701-7