Evidence-based treatments for trauma

Who is it for?

TF-CBT is designed for children and teenagers, typically ages 3 to 18, who are experiencing difficulties following traumatic events.

What does treatment look like?

TF-CBT helps children understand their reactions to trauma, learn coping skills, and gradually work through difficult memories and reminders. Parents or caregivers are also involved in treatment and learn ways to support their child’s recovery.

Treatment is tailored to the child’s age and needs and typically lasts 8 to 25 sessions.

What does the research say?

TF-CBT is one of the most extensively researched treatments for childhood trauma. Numerous studies have shown that it can significantly reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms and related emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Who is it for?

CPP is designed for infants and young children, from birth through age 5, who have experienced trauma or are having emotional or behavioral difficulties.

What does treatment look like?

Young children often communicate their feelings through play and behavior rather than words. CPP helps children and caregivers recover together by strengthening their relationship and sense of safety.

Sessions typically include the child and a parent or caregiver. The therapist uses play, conversation, and shared activities to help families understand and respond to the child’s needs.

Treatment often lasts 6 to 12 months.

What does the research say?

Studies show that CPP can help reduce trauma-related symptoms and emotional and behavioral difficulties in young children while supporting the caregiver-child relationship.

Who is it for?

PE is a treatment for PTSD primarily used with adults. Adaptations are also available for adolescents.

What does treatment look like?

After trauma, people sometimes avoid memories, places, or activities that remind them of what happened. Although avoidance may provide temporary relief, it can also keep fear and anxiety going.

PE helps people gradually approach these memories and safe situations with support from a trained therapist. Over time, the memories and reminders can become less overwhelming.

Treatment typically lasts 8 to 15 sessions and includes guided exercises during therapy and practice between appointments.

What does the research say?

PE is one of the most extensively researched treatments for PTSD. Studies consistently show that it can reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms and help people return to activities they have been avoiding.

Who is it for?

CPT is a treatment for PTSD primarily used with adults. It can also be adapted for some older adolescents.

What does treatment look like?

Trauma can change how people think about themselves, others, and the world. For example, someone might believe that what happened was their fault or that nowhere is safe.

CPT helps people recognize and reconsider these beliefs, reducing feelings such as guilt, shame, fear, and self-blame.

Treatment typically lasts about 12 sessions and includes discussions, writing exercises, and practice between appointments. People do not have to describe their traumatic experience in detail.

What does the research say?

CPT is a well-established, extensively researched treatment for PTSD. Studies show that it can significantly reduce symptoms and improve everyday functioning.

Who is it for?

EMDR is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults, teenagers, and children. Treatment can be adapted for younger children by appropriately trained therapists.

What does treatment look like?

EMDR helps people work through distressing memories so that remembering what happened becomes less upsetting.

During treatment, the therapist guides the person to briefly focus on a traumatic memory while following back-and-forth eye movements, tapping, or sounds.

EMDR does not require people to describe every detail of their experience out loud. Treatment length varies according to individual needs.

What does the research say?

Research supports EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD, particularly in adults. Studies also support its use with children and teenagers, although the research with younger populations is more limited.