Advisory Council
Dr. Esther Deblinger is Professor of Psychiatry, co-founder and
co-director at the of the CARES (Child Abuse Research Education and
Service) Institute at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of
New Jersey - School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Deblinger
obtained her Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony
Brook.
Dr. Deblinger has conducted extensive clinical research examining
the impact and treatment of childhood PTSD and related
difficulties. This research has been funded by the Foundation
of UMDNJ, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect and the
National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Deblinger has
co-authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters, and
published four books including the professional book, Treating
Trauma and Grief in Children and Adolescents: A Clinical Guide and
the children’s book, Lets’ Talk about Taking Care of You: An
Educational Book about Body Safety. Dr. Deblinger and her
collaborators, Drs. Judith Cohen and Anthony Mannarino, have
developed and extensively tested Trauma-Focused
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a treatment program that has
evolved as the clear standard of care for children and adolescents
who have experienced abuse and/or other childhood trauma. In
2001 TF-CBT was given an “Exemplary Program Award” by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration. In 2004 it was named a Best
Practice by the Kauffman Best Practices Task Force of the NCTSN,
and was given the highest classification for an evidence based
practice by the U.S. Department of Justice sponsored report, Child
Physical and Sexual Abuse: Guidelines for Treatment.
Dr. Deblinger is a frequent invited speaker at local, national and
international conferences. She served two terms on the Board
of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and
has been recognized by Women’s Day magazine and by the NJ Office of
the Child Advocate for her work in helping children overcome
post-traumatic stress and other abuse-related difficulties.
In addition to her administrative, research and teaching
activities, Dr. Deblinger remains active as a clinician and
supervisor.