Psychotherapy With Young People in Care: Lost and Found

Promoting psychosocial adaptation of youths in residential care through animal-assisted psychotherapy

“…Various studies performed both with and without comparison groups have revealed a high prevalence of clinical symptoms among adolescents in residential care (Luke et al, 2014;Muela, Torres, & Balluerka, 2012;Van Beinum, 2008). In terms of their self-perceptions, these youths report poorer personal adjustment, characterized by a deficit in coping skills and low family and social support, and also regard themselves as being less successful and less satisfied in their relationships with others, including with their biological relatives (Lázaro & López, 2010;Bravo & Del Valle, 2003).…”

“…Children and adolescents who have required input from child protection agencies due to traumatic experiences (such as child maltreatment), and who have been exposed to certain risk factors for psychopathology (insecure attachment style, low self-esteem, poor social skills and risky behavior, poor school integration, and so on) have a high probability of developing mental health problems and of showing poor psychosocial adjustment through into adulthood (Lawrence, Carlson, & Egeland, 2006;Luke, Sinclair, Woolgar, & Sebba, 2014;Van Beinum, 2008). Ensuring they receive adequate psychological treatment is therefore of particular importance, not least as such treatment has been shown to act as a protective factor, it being associated with improvements in emotional well-being and better psychosocial adjustment among these children and adolescents (Luke et al, 2014;James, Alemi, & Zepeda, 2013).…”