PARTNERS primarily utilizes Trauma-Specific Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy in treating our clients. This treatment aims to
ameliorate the psychological effects of trauma, principally through
“guided exposure” to the trauma through the telling of a “trauma
narrative.” First, the cognitions, emotions and physiological
arousal that accompany memories and/or reminders of the trauma are
identified, and when children demonstrate learning of more
effective coping, the “narrative” is introduced to interrupt
patterns of avoidance, fear and excessive anger.
Additionally, distorted ways of thinking about the trauma are
challenged and modified to facilitate more effective processing and
emotional integration of the experience.
Caregivers are taught the coping skills and parenting techniques.
When appropriate, this process is supplemented with a
“clarification process,” in which either the abuser or the child’s
primary caregiver shares is/her own feelings about the event and
“clarifies” for the child how and why the event
occurred.
PARTNERS Structure
PARTNERS is divided into two main initiatives:
Inside PARTNERS is designed to provide Best Practices in mental
health care to traumatized children, adolescents and their families
in a traditional mental health setting, an outpatient clinic at the
Center for Psychological Services at St. John’s University. Outside
PARTNERS is our innovative “outside of the box” collaborative, in
which we bring services to established institutions and
communities. In both Inside and Outside PARTNERS, we provide
Trauma-Specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Common Myths and Facts
Myth: “If you just leave kids
alone, they’ll get better.”
Fact: Youth who experience tragic
events and don’t get help often have problems like using drugs,
dropping out of school, and fighting.
Myth: “Nothing gets bad children to behave.”
Fact: Specialized services for
children who have been through tragic events, increase caregiver’s
ability to handle children’s problem behaviors. These are
considered Best Practices and have helped thousands of families
across the country.