Current practices in child psychotherapy.

Abstract

The authors report on a survey of 110 psychotherapists who treat children. The data include reports on the relative usefulness of various theoretical and practical techniques now in use. One striking finding is that psychologists and psychiatrists in the sample differed little in their theoretical orientations and practices. Those interdisciplinary differences that were significant seem predictable on the basis of training patterns. On the whole, it seems that the variety of approaches used in psychotherapy with children is probably narrower than that used with adult clients.The field of psychotherapy has grown dramatically in scope and emphasis since the concept of the "child guidance" model was developed in America (Healy & Bronner, 1948). In the past 10 years a specialized subfield of clinical child psychology has developed with a significant body of theoretical, clinical, and empirical literature. Substantial new volumes, with scores of experienced contributors, describe theoretical models, develop therapeutic strategies, and elaborate on new techniques (

Therapists’ Attitudes Towards Psychotherapeutic Strategies in Community-Based Psychotherapy with Children with Disruptive Behavior Problems

“…There are several informative studies examining psychotherapists' attitudes towards empirically-supported treatment manuals and EBPs (Aarons 2004; Addis and Krasnow 2000; Baumann et al 2006; Essock et al 2003; Rubin and Parrish 2007; Sheehan et al 2007), as well as studies of psychotherapists' preferred treatment approaches and decision-making more generally (Kazdin et al 1990; Koocher and Pedulla 1977; Stewart and Chambless 2007; Weersing et al 2002). Results of studies of psychotherapists' attitudes towards EBPs and manualized treatment generally report ambivalent attitudes.…”

Research on psychotherapy with children and adolescents: An overview of evolving trends and current issues

“…For example, according to the developmental literature, establishing a trusting relationship with a younger child may require that the therapist engage in overt action on their behalf or provide them with gifts (see Kovacs, 1986). Although the importance for children of giving and receiving gifts has been noted in the clinical literature, it has been discussed with some reluctance and qualifications (Barbanel, 1982), is apparently not incorporated into treatment by most therapists (Koocher & Pedulla, 1977), and is not considered in current treatment manuals.…”

“…At the minimum, therefore, parental involvement to assure cooperation is critical for the ongoing treatment of their offspring. Indeed, in actual clinical practice, the parents are orten involved, one way or another, in the treatment of their children (Koocher & Pedulla, 1977).…”

Contextual Emotion Regulation Therapy: A Developmentally Based Intervention for Pediatric Depression

“…After all, most psychotherapists who work with children reportedly involve the parents on some level. 62,63 Parental involvement has long been considered indispensible in the treatment of conduct problems (for a meta-analysis, see Woolfenden et al 64 ) Yet, most treatment studies of depressed children and adolescents have not involved parents or involved them in separate parent groups. e.g.,65 …”