Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy : A Review Integrating the Theoretical Components with the Scientific Research

Abstract

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a widely studied treatment intervention for children who are victims of sexual abuse and who exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). TF-CBT utilizes a component- and phase-based hierarchical treatment framework in order to alleviate symptomology within these children. This review aims to provide a synthesis of the theoretical and scientific basis of evidence surrounding TF-CBT. Within the various randomized controlled trials (RCT’s) that have been conducted on child victims of sexual abuse with symptoms of PTSD who receive TF-CBT treatment, PTSD symptoms were reduced in nearly all cases. However, this review highlights that limited research has been conducted into determining how each one of the eight treatment components impacts the reduction of PTSD symptoms. Within this review, the TF-CBT framework will first be thoroughly described, then the scientific evidence regarding the general efficacy of the treatment will be provided, then the theoretical and scientific evidence behind the eight treatment components will be synthesized, and finally, suggestions to broaden the scope of TF-CBT research will be provided.