SSUE
RIEF
Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma-Informed Care Implementation
www.chcs.org 8
Exhibit 2: Examples of Trauma Treatment Approaches: Characteristics and Evidence
Treatment Model Description Target Population(s) Outcomes
Adult-Focused Models
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Prolonged Exposure
Therapy (PE Therapy)
Focuses on: (1) posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) education; (2) breathing techniques to
reduce the physiological experience of stress; (3)
exposure practice with real-world situations; and
(4) talking through the trauma.
Eight to 15 60-90-minute sessions that occur 1-2
times a week.
Adults who have
experienced trauma or
who have been
diagnosed with PTSD.
Has been shown to be one of the
most effective PTSD treatments for
veterans.
Meta-analysis showed that the
average PE patient had better
outcomes than 86 percent of
counterparts in the control group.
Eye Movement
Desensitization and
Reprocessing (EMDR)
Focuses on: (1) spontaneous associations of
traumatic images, thoughts, emotions, and
sensations; and (2) dual stimulation using bilateral
eye movements, tones, or taps.
Information processing therapy to reduce trauma-
related stress and strengthen adaptive beliefs.
Adults who have
experienced trauma or
who have been
diagnosed with PTSD.
Meta-analyses show similar
outcomes to other exposure
therapy techniques.
Endorsed by World Health
Organization and Department of
Veterans’ Affairs.
Seeking Safety
Focuses on: (1) prioritizing safety; (2) integrating
trauma and substance use; (3) rebuilding a sense
of hope for the future; (4) building cognitive,
behavioral, interpersonal, and case management
skill sets; and (5) refining clinicians’ attention to
processes.
Present-focused treatment to help individuals
attain a sense of safety.
Adults who have
experienced trauma, or
who have been
diagnosed with PTSD or
substance use issues;
groups and individuals
in a variety of settings,
including residential and
outpatient.
Listed as “supported by research
evidence” for adults by the
California Evidence-Based
Clearinghouse and “strong research
support for adults” by the Society of
Addiction Psychology of the
American Psychological Association.
Child-Focused Models
Child-Parent
Psychotherapy
Focuses on: (1) the way trauma has affected the
caregiver-child relationship; and (2) the child’s
development.
14,15
A primary goal is to bolster the caregiver-child
relationship to restore and support the child’s
mental health.
16
Youth, ages 0-6, who
have experienced a
wide range of trauma,
and parents with
chronic trauma.
17
Listed as “supported by research
evidence” by the California
Evidence-Based Clearinghouse.
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Attachment, Self-
Regulation, and
Competency (ARC)
Focuses on: (1) attachment; (2) self-regulation; (3)
competency; and (4) trauma experience
integration; developed around an overarching goal
of supporting the child, family, and system’s ability
to engage in the present moment.
19,20
Grounded in attachment theory and early
childhood development; addresses how a child’s
entire system of care can become trauma-
informed.
21
Youth, ages 2-21, and
families who have
experienced chronic
traumatic stress,
multiple traumas,
and/or ongoing
exposure to adverse life
experiences.
22
Research suggests that ARC leads to
a reduction in a child’s
posttraumatic stress symptoms and
general mental health symptoms, as
well as increased adaptive and
social skills.
23
Trauma-Focused
Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (TF-CBT)
Focuses on: (1) addressing distorted beliefs and
attributions related to abuse or trauma; (2)
providing a supportive environment for children to
talk about traumatic experiences; and (3) helping
parents who are not abusive to cope with their
own distress and develop skills to support their
children.
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Designed to reduce negative emotions and
behaviors related to child sexual abuse, domestic
violence, and trauma.
25
Youth, ages 3-21, and
parents or caregivers
who have experienced
abuse or trauma.
26
Highlighted by several groups of
experts and federal agencies as a
model program or promising
treatment practice, including the
National Child Traumatic Stress
Network, the California Evidence-
based Clearinghouse, and
SAMHSA.
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