Youth Home Inc TRICARE East & West Residential Program for Children Ages 12-17 with Mental Illness

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that helps youth and their families address the negative effects of trauma, overcome problematic thoughts and behaviors, and develop effective coping and interpersonal skills.


The Trauma-Focused CBT Therapy approach is applied in a safe and stable environment to encourage clients to share their feelings. We aim to help youth who have experienced trauma learn how to manage difficult emotions.


We use this method most frequently when treating depression, anxiety, ptsd, phobias, sleep/eating disorders, oppositional defiant and reactive attachment disorder.

Studies show that children and teens participating in TF-CBT show a wide range of improvements, including decreases in PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, behavior problems, shame, cognitive distortions, and relationship difficulties. At Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas, we accept most insurances including Medicaid.

Other Things to Note

  • The Effects of Trauma

    Research shows that the trauma we experience as a child can affect how our brain develops, leading to long-term negative effects in our brains and bodies.


    Experiencing 4 or more "Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs)" is associated with significantly increased risk for 7 out of 10 leading adult causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, COPD, diabetes, Alzheimers and suicide.


    Examples of these traumatic experiences include:


    • Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse;
    • Childhood neglect;
    • Having a family member with a mental health or substance use disorder;
    • Violence in the household or community;
    • & Poverty and systemic discrimination

    Often a child’s behavior is a maladaptive way of seeking connection. We have learned that healing happens within the context of a relationship, and we use methods like TF-CBT rather than traditional more punitive methods of discipline.

  • Our Approach

    TF-CBT combines elements drawn from multiple approaches and theories:


    • Cognitive therapy, which aims to change behavior by addressing a person’s thoughts or perceptions, particularly those thinking patterns that create distorted or unhelpful views
    • Behavioral therapy, which focuses on modifying habitual responses (e.g., anger, fear) to nondangerous situations or stimuli
    • Family therapy, which examines patterns of interactions among family members to identify and alleviate problems
    • Attachment theory, which emphasizes the importance of the parent-child relationship
    • Developmental neurobiology, which provides insight on the developing brain during childhood

  • Goals of TF CBT

    Goals of TF-CBT:


    • To provide structured opportunities for children and teens, with the support of their nonoffending caregiver(s), to process past  trauma
    • To collaborate with a client and their family to develop strategies that reduce trauma-related stress
    • To give opportunity to learn how  to moderate feelings and thoughts related to stress
    • To learn to cope with specific trauma related triggers
    • To support the child or teen in both developing and maintaining a secure sense of safety 
    • To teach or reteach adaptive social skills
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