News from The Tree House CAC -  September 2017

Spotlight on Mental Health: Therapies used at The Tree House

We are often asked about the types of therapy we use with the children and their families at The Tree House. We offer a variety of evidenced-based treatments, each geared toward specific situations. Below you will find a brief description of each type of therapy, along with links should you want to learn more:

Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (Ages 7-18): Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) is a brief, evidence-based early intervention therapy for children who have recently experienced a traumatic event. It is administered in the immediate aftermath (starting within roughly one month of the occurrence or disclosure of the traumatic event). The goal is to treat acute trauma symptoms and prevent the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma sequalae. The therapy works by teaching caregivers and children about common traumatic reactions, helping them identify and communicate about these symptoms, and implementing targeted behavioral interventions to address current symptoms. This treatment typically lasts 5 to 8 sessions.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Ages 3-18) Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for children who have experienced traumatic events and their supportive caregivers. The goal of this treatment is to help children recover from their trauma, reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and problem behaviors. TF-CBT teaches children and caregivers coping skills that they can use to manage traumatic stress, helps families process the traumatic experiences, and enhances the child’s future safety and development. Treatment includes individual sessions for the child, individual sessions for the child’s caregiver, and conjoint sessions for the child and his/her caregiver. The therapy typically takes 8 to 25 sessions to complete. 

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (Ages 2-6) Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment for young children with externalizing problems, such as emotion regulation and behavioral difficulties, and is successful with children who have experienced trauma. The goal of treatment is to increase the warmth and security of the parent child interaction, as well as to teach parents how to provide effective commands to increase the child’s compliance with daily instructions. Children and their caregivers are seen together in PCIT. PCIT therapists coach caregivers in how to deliver therapy skills to children using ‘bud in the ear’ technology while observing the caregiver and child during play from behind a one-way mirror. Treatment typically takes 18 to 35 sessions. 

Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Ages 5-17) Alternatives for Families: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for families that exhibit anger, conflict and/or aggression, including those that have a history of physical abuse. The goal of treatment is to teach healthy ways of managing conflict as “alternatives” to the use of coercive or aggressive interactions. Treatment includes individual sessions for the child, individual sessions for the child’s caregiver, and conjoint sessions for the child and caregiver together. During therapy sessions, children and their caregivers learn how to respectfully and effectively manage anger and stress, how to problem solve when difficulties arise within the family, and ways they can communicate effectively. The therapy period typically consists of 18 to 24 treatment sessions. 

Circle of Security Parenting Program (Ages 0-5) The Circle of Security program is an evidenced-based parenting approach developed from attachment theory. The goal of the program is to provide a roadmap for parents in understanding and responding to their children. The program helps the parent learn how to: identify and support the child’s emotional needs, help the child successfully manage emotions, enhance the development of the child’s self-esteem, and support the child’s ability to explore the world effectively. During sessions, facilitators show video clips of parent-child interactions to demonstrate and learn the concepts. The program is usually delivered over 8 group or individual sessions. 

Child Adult Relationship Enhancement Program (Ages 2-18) Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE) is a trauma-informed evidence-based modification of specific PCIT skills to be used by non-clinical adults who interact with traumatized children and their caregivers. CARE employs the three P skills (Praise, Paraphrase and Point-out-Behavior) to connect with children and their caregivers, provide techniques for using effective positive commands, and utilize selective ignoring to redirect problematic behaviors. CARE also contains a trauma education component to understand how to utilize these skills with the types of behaviors and problems exhibited by many traumatized children and their caregivers. 

Backpack and Pajamas Poured in this Past Month!

Thanks to Vincent Sinfuego (with some help from Boy Scout Troop 291), our dear friends at Transwestern's Bethesda office, and Sheena Saydam's fabulous "tribe" of helpers, we had backpacks, school supplies and pajamas to give to well over 100 children as the school year started!  

One of our wonderful 2017 Tree House Tour de Cookie Sponsors, FITREC, is holding a 5K run and walk event at Seneca Creek State Park on October 14th, 2017. They are donating 20% of the profits from this event to The Tree House!

We'll be there. Come join us! 

Registration to open later this fall! 

For sponsorship information click here.
(It's never too early to become a sponsor!)

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The Tree House CAC of Montgomery County Maryland
7300 Calhoun Place, Suite 700
Rockville, MD 20855