Access to psychotherapy: This is how we help traumatized children!

Access to psychotherapy: This is how we help traumatized children!

A recent international briefing paper published by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) discusses ways to improve access to evidence-based psychotherapies for children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic experiences. Prof. Dr. Cedric Sachser from the Otto Friedrich University of Bamberg was the first author of this important paper. The central concern is to create comprehensive access to effective treatment options, especially for vulnerable groups such as children in youth welfare and refugee young people.

Traumatic experiences in childhood are a widespread problem. While many children cope with these experiences well, some develop long-term psychological impairments. The challenges that skilled workers face are complex. Prof. Sachser emphasizes the urgency of raising awareness and dispelling myths about dealing with trauma. In addition, it calls for the use of functioning screening procedures for the early detection of trauma-related disorders and the development of scalable therapy offerings such as group or digital formats. The relevance of such measures is undisputed, especially given the psychosocial stress that many children experience today.

Scientific background and its implementation

Another central aspect of the discussion is the BESTFORCAN study at Goethe University, which deals with the psychotherapeutic treatment of traumatized children. In many cases, the causes of psychological complaints, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are not treated in therapy according to the latest scientific standards. This has significant long-term consequences that extend into adulthood, including addiction, eating disorders and even physical illness.

The project, initiated by Prof. Regina Steil and Prof. Rita Rosner, aims to train over 100 child and youth therapists in trauma-focused behavioral therapy and to ensure that the methods learned are effectively implemented in practice. This also includes the integration of important caregivers into the therapy, which significantly increases its effectiveness. Another goal is to ensure consistent supervision, which is necessary to adapt treatments to current scientific standards.

Availability and support for professionals

Collaboration between different institutions is crucial to ensure comprehensive, high-quality care for traumatized children. In this context, the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), with its locations in Berlin, Mannheim, Munich and other cities, plays an important role. Here, specialists are trained to provide the necessary support and treatment for children and young people suffering from the consequences of traumatic experiences.

The briefing paper is available online and provides valuable information for professionals in the field of trauma therapy. Professor Soraya Seedat, President of the ISTSS, highlights the importance of such documents in accessing effective treatments. This further underlines the importance of collaboration between research, practice facilities and families.

The findings from both studies and the published papers illustrate the need for evidence-based approaches and urgent measures to sustainably improve the care of traumatized children. It is important to support affected families and offer optimal treatment options in order to promote the mental health of young people.