Main description:

The serious consequences of child abuse or maltreatment are among the most challenging things therapists encounter. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest, and of both basic and clinical research, concerning early traumatization. This volume in the series, "Advances in Psychotherapy", integrates results from the latest research showing the importance of early traumatization into a compact and practical guide for practitioners. Advances in biological knowledge have highlighted the potential chronicity of effects of childhood maltreatment, demonstrating particular life challenges in managing emotions, forming and maintaining healthy relationships, healthy coping, and holding a positive outlook of oneself. Despite the resiliency of many maltreated children, adolescent and young adult well-being is often compromised. This text first overviews our current knowledge of the effects of childhood maltreatment on psychiatric and psychological health, then provides diagnostic guidance, and subsequently goes on to profile promising and effective evidence-based interventions.
Consistent with the discussions of treatment, prevention programming that is multi-targeted at issues for maltreated individuals is highlighted. This text helps the practitioner or student to know what to look for, what questions need to be asked, how to handle the sensitive ethical implications, and what are promising avenues for effective coping.

Contents:

Dedication; Acknowledgments; 1 Description; 1.1 Terminology; 1.2 Definition; 1.3 Epidemiology; 1.4 Course and Prognosis; 2 Theories and Models of the Effects of Childhood Maltreatment; 2.1 PTSD Symptomatology Model; 2.2 Social Cognitive Information Processing Models; 3 Diagnosis and Treatment Indications; 3.1 Psychiatric Impairment and Specific Disorders Associated with Childhood Maltreatment; Mood Disorders; Suicidal/Self-Harm Behaviors; Anxiety Disorders; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Dissociation; Behavioral Problems and Disorders; Substance Use Disorders; Eating Disorders; Personality Disorders; Asymptomatic Victims; 4 Treatment: Intervening with Childhood Maltreatment Victims; 4.1 Methods of Treatment; Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT); 4.2 Mechanisms of Action: Components of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Treatment; Child-Treatment: Coping Skills Training; Child-Treatment: Cognitive Processing; Child-Treatment: Gradual Exposure; Child-Treatment: Psychoeducation; Parent-Treatment; Parent-Treatment: Orientation; Parent-Treatment: Coping Skills Training; Parent-Treatment: Gradual Exposure; Parent-Treatment: Psychoeducation; 4.3 Efficacy and Prognosis; Empirical Support of TF-CBT for Childhood Sexual Abuse; Empirical Support for TF-CBT for Childhood Physical Abuse; 4.4 Variations and Combinations of Methods; Dialectical Behavior Therapy; 4.5 Problems and Issues in Carrying Out the Treatments; Individual Problems; Family Problems; 5 Case Vignette; 6 Further Reading; 7 References; 8 Appendix: Tools and Resources.