Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Chil

The use of several therapeutic methods to treat children with PTSD increases the argument among clinicians about the most effective treatment for PTSD. The clinical literature describes a wide variety of interventions besides CBT including, psychoanalytic techniques, creative arts, play therapy, crisis intervention, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and pharmacotherapy; which raises the question about what could be the most effective treatment for children with PTSD (Cohen, Mannarino & Rogal 2001). Several of these therapies have been recognized as effective PTSD treatments. For instance, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Processing (EMDR), has become an increasingly accepted treatment modality for childhood PTSD; however, very few physicians recommend its use (Cohen, et al. 2001). EMDR is a PTSD treatment in which clients are engaged to visually track the therapist’s finger being rapidly wave back and forth as they engage with the trauma memory (Feeny et al. (2004 ). In a controlled study that examined the efficacy of EMDR on children with PTSD who were victims of natural disasters, Chemtob, Nakashima, & Carlson (2002), found that EMDR was an effective treatment to decrease or eliminate PTSD symptoms of these traumatized children. Chemtob and colleagues documented that 56.3% of the children no longer met criteria for PTSD according to the Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (CPTSD-RI) cut off. Empirical knowledge with regard to EMDR is quite comparable to the effectiveness of psychotropic medications; they have provided some support as effective PTSD treatment. However, these treatments have been far from unanimous in the demonstration of their effectiveness (Friedman, 1997). Despite the findings tha... ...ychiatric disorders associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in the general population. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 41, 469–478. Trowell, J., Kolvin, I., Weeramanthri, T., Sadowski, H., Berelowitz, M., Galsser, D., et al. (2002). Psychotherapy for sexually abused girls: Psychopathological outcome findings and patterns of change. British Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 234–246. Resick, P. A., Nishith, P., Weaver, T., Astin, M. C., & Feuer, C. A. (2002). A comparison of cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, and a waiting condition for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in female rape victims. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 867–879. Zayfert, C., DeVita, J. (2004). Residual Insomnia Following Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD. Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol. 17, No. 1, February 2004, pp. 69–73 ( 2004).