Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence based treatment for helping children and teens to work through traumatic events, including childhood physical and sexual abuse. This therapy was developed by Judith Cohen, Anthony Mannarino, and Esther Deblinger.
In the early part of therapy, while getting to know their therapist, children participating in TF-CBT learn relaxation training, how to identify different feelings, and the relationship between their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Eventually, youth enrolled in TF-CBT complete a trauma narrative in which they talk about the abuse. Afterward, their therapist helps them to identify and correct beliefs about themselves and the world that have been distorted by the abuse. Cohen, Mannarino, and Deblinger have completed multiple NIH funded research studies demonstrating the effectiveness of TF-CBT.
We highly recommend TF-CBT for child survivors of traumatic events, including physical and sexual abuse.