Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI)

Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI)

What: CFTSI is a brief (5‐8 session), evidence‐based early intervention for children 7 to 18 years old that reduces traumatic stress reactions and the onset of PTSD. CFTSI is implemented within 30-45 days following a traumatic event or the disclosure of physical or sexual abuse. CFTSI is used successfully with children with extensive trauma histories. In addition, CFTSI can act as a seamless introduction to longer‐term treatment and other mental health interventions when necessary. How: CFTSI is completed by conducting individual meetings with the caretaker and the child before holding family therapy sessions. Each session is one hour in length for a total of 5-8 weeks. Families are taught coping skills and are asked to keep a log of progress each week.

Improve screening and identification of children impacted by traumatic stress, Reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms, Enhance emotional support through increased caregiver-child communication, Teach/practice coping skills to reduce trauma reactions, Identify and address concrete external stressors (such as safety, legal issues, medical care), Assess child's need for longer-term treatment

Hilary Hahn, MPH, EdM

Yale Childhood Violent Trauma Center

hilary.hahn@yale.edu

(203) 737-6304