The views of Grayson (2012) on treatment of trauma in children are based on evidence-based treatments because the effects vary from one child to the other and no universal method of treatment exists. In his analysis, he notes that children go through several challenging life events, such as accidents, wars, domestic violence, loss of parents, and sexual harassment, but the treatment model he recommends have the potential of benefiting all the victims of various events provided it is applied well.
Evidence-based treatment entails interventions that have been tested in several scientifically rigorous studies, including a randomized control trial and it should have worked effectively. Additionally, the researcher observes that the treatment model should have a manual and has to be time-limited for it to be termed evidence-based. In the foster care institutions, children face several problems, with maltreatment being the major issue, which leads to trauma among children.
He suggests that evidence-based treatment is also sufficient for this category of the population. He defines trauma as a psychological shock that causes a lasting damage to the brain of the child. Before a treatment is declared evidence-based, it should have a sound hypothetical basis, considerable research literature indicating the efficiency of the method, and finally the treatment has to be accepted generally.
The researcher goes on to note that not all families meet the criteria to employ the treatment method because it calls for the full participation of the parent. This means that unmotivated and unstable parent will not be allowed to undertake the treatment since it will not yield any result. Additionally, the treatment method demands that a child memorizes events. In fact, this is one of the shortcomings of the therapy because it cannot be applied in families facing crises.
The technique is only applied after the family is stable and ready to answer some basic questions. One of the goals of trauma-based intervention strategy is to help the victim in controlling the impulse. A youngster who has experienced shock has trouble in maintaining concentration, recollection of events, and judgment when it comes to making decisions.
Cohen, Deblinger, Mannarino and Steer (2004) undertook a study to investigate the discrepancy effectiveness of trauma-focused, cognitive behavioral therapy and child based treatment that aimed at dealing with posttraumatic stress disorder and other related psychological behavioral tribulations in children who have endured sexual abuse.
Child centered therapy is a model that is much focused on setting up a credulous therapeutic association that is self-affirming, authorizing, and authentic for the parent and the child. The model is similar with those that are often employed in rape cases when treating sexually abused children and is based on the assumption that children, as well as their parents, face difficulties in coping with the situation since they believe that they have been betrayed and they might not trust any other person.
The main aim of CCT is to deal with the difficulties by establishing a lasting relationship between children and their parents. On the other hand, TF-CBT is based on effective interventions that are aimed at resolving anxiety disorders among children. The study was the first two-site controlled trial that attempted to compare the alternative treatments as far as treatment of PTSD in children was concerned.
Through the study, it was noted that TF-CBT model is the best when it comes to treatment of trauma among children. TF-CBT model was found to be strong in resolving issues related to interpersonal hope, supposed trustworthiness, and embarrassment. Again, the model tended to resolve despair, suffering, and parenting practices among caregivers.
The findings of the study are credible because of the sample used meaning that the treatment model could be employed in the future to help children suffering from trauma related illnesses. One of the weaknesses of the study was that it did not have a control group. The researchers claimed that they did not want to include the control group because of issues to do with ethics.
Deblinger, Mannarino, Cohen, Runyon, and Steer (2011) conducted a study to establish the effects of trauma on the normal growth and development of children. In their study, they noted that child sexual abuse is often related to development of several mental psychological health disorders and the best treatment approach is the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Their main concern was the number of sessions that have to be conducted to achieve clinical efficiency and whether the trauma narrative has a role to play in the diagnosis process. The study undertook at least eight sessions versus sixteen sessions to understand the effects of TF-CBT with or without trauma narrative. The study sample was two-hundred and ten children aged four and eleven years. The results indicated that the treatment method is effective.
It was concluded that the TF-CBT is a better way of dealing with trauma among children, irrespective of whether trauma narrative is given or not. The treatment technique improves the diagnosis of the symptoms, as well as the parenting skills. Children felt more secure after the tests meaning that the method guarantees personal safety among the young persons.
References
Cohen, J. A., Deblinger, E., Mannarino, A. P., & Steer, R. (2004). A multisite randomized controlled trial for children with sexual abuse related PTSD symptoms. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(1), 393‑402.
Deblinger, E., Mannarino, A. P., Cohen, J. A., Runyon, M. K., & Steer, R. A. (2011). Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children: Impact of the trauma narrative andtreatment length. Depression and Anxiety, 28(1), 67–75
Grayson, J. (2012). Evidence-based treatments for childhood trauma. Virginia Child Protection Newsletter, 95(1), 1-21.