what is trauma focussed cbt?

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Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment model originally designed to assist children, adolescents, and their families in overcoming the negative effects of a traumatic experience.  It has also been shown to provide benefits to adults with a history of complex traumatic experiences.

This evidence-based method has been proven effective for treatment after multiple traumas or a single traumatic event, and psychologists trained in TF-CBT are frequently able to help people experiencing the emotional effects of trauma address and resolve these effects. 

In TF-CBT the psychologist assists the person to confront memories and reminders of the trauma, change the way they think and feel about the traumatic experience, and find more helpful ways of coping, through exposure therapy and cognitive therapy techniques.

In imaginal exposure therapy the person is supported to gradually confront their memories of the trauma, whilst within in vivo exposure therapy the person is supported to gradually confront safe situational reminders of the trauma that are otherwise avoided. Repeated imaginal and in vivo exposure, has been found to be highly effective.