Various therapies have been developed to assist children who have been victims of violence. Therapy can be individualized, for the whole family or in a group setting.

Analysis and evaluation

At the beginning of therapy, the emphasis is on assessing and analyzing the child's problems and the family's circumstances. The first interviews are diagnostic interviews where the child's well-being is assessed in relation to the trauma that it suffered. Afterwards, the child's therapist evaluates whether there is need for trauma therapy. If trauma therapy is not considered necessary, educational interviews and counselling are available.

Education

Education is provided on the nature and consequences of violence, personal boundaries, taking care of oneself and more.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is the treatment that studies show to be most effective for children and adolescents who are victims of sexual abuse and other trauma. The treatment includes education and stress management, identification of emotions, cognitive processing and progressive vulnerability.

Progressive vulnerability is a method that is used to give the child the opportunity to experience emotions, thoughts and memories related to a traumatic event in small doses in a safe environment.

The emphasis is also on self-efficacy and the child is taught to set personal limits. Cooperation with guardians is important because their support encourages the child to improve. Not all children need all aspects of the treatment and the guardian creates a treatment plan that is tailored to the child.

Trauma-based cognitive processing therapy

Cognitive Processing Therapy (Cognitive Processing Therapy) is a cognitive behavioral therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and related problems and is used for adolescents and adults. The main goal of the therapy is to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and it includes education on the body’s defense system, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the reasons it is believed that some individuals develop these symptoms. The ways that the trauma/traumatic stress disorder has changed the individuals’ thoughts and attitudes are analysed, and how they may have “blocked” or hindered the recovery process, and even had an impact on different aspects of life. Then there is systematic work to solve those “blocks”. Blocks are thoughts that prevent recovery, in other words thoughts that block the recovery process.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a comprehensive psychological treatment developed to address the consequences of trauma and is a well-established treatment according to international guidelines. EMDR treatment involves processing information, such as difficult memories, thoughts and emotions. The EMDR method uses bi-lateral stimulation, such as eye movement, sound or vibrations, while the individual goes through the event with the assistance of the therapist.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of interpreting events, and how thoughts, behavior and physical responses affect well-being. It is a way to examine and change thoughts by looking at them in a realistic and logical way and at the same time gain an understanding of how these factors, thinking and behavior, affect the way people feel.

Storytelling

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is divided into three parts. The first focuses on education, including trauma/stress response. With the therapist, the child or adolescent makes a history of his or her life, identifying both positive and negative experiences and phases. The final part systematically reviews individual experiences, especially the negative ones, in order to re-assess those memories.

Early trauma-based treatment

Early intervention in child and family trauma is a well-researched early intervention for children aged 7 to 18 years. The aim is to reduce the frequency of trauma reactions and thus reduce the likelihood of developing PTSD. The treatment is carried out within 30-45 days after the trauma (or from the moment the child first reports physical or sexual violence). The interviews take place five to eight times, and in most of them the child and the parents or guardians work together.

Combined parent-child cognitive behavioral therapy (CPC-CBT)

Combined Parent-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CPC-CBT) is a proven method for families with a high risk of physical abuse or for families with domestic violence. This is a resource that empowers the guardian in his/her role and helps to reduce family problems so that they do not require more drastic measures. The objective of CPC-CBT is to help children cope with trauma they have suffered, to encourage parents to raise their children in an effective and safe way, to strengthen the relationship between parents and children, and increase the safety of their homes.

Methods from theatre therapy and family therapy

Play therapy is a form of therapy that is suitable for working with younger children. Through play therapy, a platform is created to help children talk about their feelings and thoughts or deal with trauma. Young children copy and explore their world through play, so trauma-based therapy works best for younger children when it is done in creative ways.

Family therapy is a resource that incorporates a variety of approaches in working with families. Family therapy takes into account the family as a whole, and its well-being is taken into consideration.