Alternatives for Families: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This is a therapy program for children and their parents to cope with the effects of child abuse and hostile family environments.
There are 18 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy sessions, and the treatment unfolds in three phases:
1) The first phase covers an introduction to the treatment and focuses on psychoeducation, identification of feelings, and conversation about the abuse that occurred.
2) The second phase addresses aspects related to emotional and behavioral management, and teaches new ways of thinking and relating to others.
3) The third phase prepares parents and children for the conclusion of the program through a meeting to address and clarify doubts, and to teach problem-solving techniques for future situations.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation study showed that the program contributed to statistically significant decreases in parents’ violent behaviors one toward the other and between parents and their children, risk of child abuse, parents’ belief in the need to physically punish their children, and family conflict. Children showed significant improvement in internalizing and externalizing behaviors. No significant effects on child abuse recidivism were observed [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Kolko, D. J. (1996). Individual Cognitive Behavioral Treatment and Family Therapy for Physically Abused Children and their Offending Parents: A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes. Child Maltreatment, 1(4), 322–342. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559596001004004

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