In a recent review of a dozen different studies, researchers found that many doctors are using unproven methods to help children suffering from trauma.
Researchers of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found no evidence to prove that alternative therapies, such as drugs, art or play therapy helped children traumatized by violence or abuse, even though more than 75 percent of U.S. mental health professionals who treat children and teens with post traumatic stress disorder may use them.
What’s more, they noted that cognitive therapy, or talk therapy, is the most effective treatment.
“The good news is there is substantial research showing the effectiveness of group or individual cognitive behavioral therapy in treating children and teens experiencing the psychological effects of trauma,” the CDC’s Robert Hahn, who led the study, said in a statement.
“We hope these findings will encourage clinicians to use the therapies that are shown to be effective.”
Hahn added that childhood trauma, whether caused by physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence or natural disasters, “is a widespread problem with both short- and long-term consequences.”
He said better screening is needed, and urged therapists to use methods that have been proven effective.
“Many kids with symptoms of trauma go undiagnosed, which can lead to unhealthy behaviors in adulthood such as smoking and alcohol or drug abuse.”
Cognitive therapy uses a variety of techniques, but always involves a trained counselor and several sessions, to change a person’s thoughts and beliefs.
Hahn’s task force reviewed studies evaluating play therapy, art therapy, the use of drugs and psychological debriefing.
“Proponents of art therapy argue that trauma is stored in the memory as an image; therefore, expressive art techniques are an effective method for processing and resolving traumatic issues,” the study reads.
None has been shown to work for children with post traumatic stress disorder, the CDC team reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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