Common elements of evidence-based trauma therapy for children and adolescents

Background: Numerous evidence-based trauma therapies for children and adolescents have been developed over several decades to minimize the negative outcomes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, PTSD remains a complex construct and is associated with pervasive problems and high comorbidity. To gain more insight, much could be learnt from the similarities in trauma therapies. Objective: The purpose of this study is to derive common elements from evidence-based trauma therapies for children and adolescents. Method: Therapies were selected from a literature search. Five evidence-based trauma therapies were included in this study. A common element list was created through an existing and modified Delphi method, with a diverse group of Dutch trauma therapists. An element was deemed common when it appeared in three or more of the therapies. The final list was presented to international experts on the included trauma therapies. Results: A substantial commonality of techniques and mechanisms was found across the five evidence-based trauma therapies for children and adolescents, showing a strong overlap between therapies. Conclusion: The identified elements create a basis for research and clinical practice, with regard to targeted trauma therapies tailored to each individual child and his or her support system. This promotes therapy modules that are more flexible and accessible for both therapists and clients, in every environment, from specialized psychiatric units to sites with meagre resources. With current integrated knowledge, we can enhance the effectiveness of child psychiatry and refine trauma therapies.

Automated summary

This study aims to extract common elements from evidence-based trauma therapies for children and adolescents. A diverse group of Dutch trauma therapists used an existing and modified Delphi method to create a common element list. The study found a substantial overlap of techniques and mechanisms across the five evidence-based trauma therapies, indicating strong similarities between the therapies. These identified elements provide a basis for research and clinical practice in tailored trauma therapies for individual children and their support systems.