Trauma Treatment (Adult) is defined by the CEBC as treatment developed to assist adults in coping with the effects that come from experiencing trauma. The trauma(s) may have occurred at any point in the individual's life and may have occurred once or many times. The trauma(s) may be witnessed or experienced and can occur in many forms including physical abuse, sexual abuse or assault, neglect, domestic violence, community violence, war, and natural disasters. Many parents and caretakers involved in the child welfare system experienced trauma themselves in their childhood or adolescence and have never received treatment related to these experiences. This parental/caregiver trauma history can hinder proper family functioning, social support, nurturing, and attachment. Research finds that more than half of all adults in the United States will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. Though not all of these individuals will require formal intervention due to differences in resiliency (i.e., the ability to handle traumatic situations), some may require treatment to mitigate negative outcomes.
Target population: Adults who have experienced trauma
Services/types that fit: Typically outpatient services, either individual or group
Delivered by: Mental health professionals
In order to be included: Program must specifically target trauma treatment as a goal
In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines trauma-related outcomes, such changes in symptom levels, behaviors, and/or functioning.
Adults who have experienced trauma and may experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), post-traumatic stress, phobias, and other mental health disorders
Organizations with professionals and paraprofessionals, and others who work with survivors (children, adolescents, and adults) of traumatic life events, especially ...
Adults with severe childhood trauma and complex comorbidity; program has been used for other mental health disorders as well.
Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?
The Trauma Treatment (Adult) topic area is relevant to child welfare because parents and caregivers involved with the child welfare system may need assistance in coping with the effects that come from personally experiencing trauma. The trauma may be the result of an event that occurred at any point in the individual’s life, once or many times, or as one of many different traumatic events over time. Many child-welfare-involved parents and caretakers experienced trauma themselves in their childhood or adolescence and have never received treatment related to these experiences. As an adult, the traumatic event may also be experienced or witnessed (vicarious) and can occur in many forms including domestic violence, community violence, sexual assault or abuse, physical abuse, neglect, war, and natural disasters. This parental/caregiver trauma history can hinder proper family functioning, social support, nurturing, and attachment. Research finds that more than half of all adults in the United States will have experienced a traumatic event at some point in their lives. Though not all of these individuals will require formal intervention due to differences in resiliency (i.e., the ability to handle traumatic situations), some may require treatment to mitigate negative outcomes. Better understanding of the impact of adult trauma, proper screening, and the identification of appropriate interventions may lead to improved outcomes for children and families.
Joanne L. Davis, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology
Co-Director of the Tulsa Institute for Trauma, Abuse, and Neglect
Criminal Justice & Criminology Department, University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK
