Treatment Considerations for Youth Exposed to Interpersonal Violence
Following exposure to interpersonal violence, children and adolescents may develop posttraumatic stress, depressive- and anxiety-related symptoms, attachment-based and/or behavioral concerns that warrant psychosocial treatment. Systematic and comprehensive assessment of youth symptoms should be utilized to inform treatment and referral decisions. Evidence-based treatments for youth affected by trauma often include common elements (e.g., psychoeducation, emotion management, gradual exposure); however, intervention options vary with regard to developmental considerations, symptoms targeted, components included or excluded (e.g., trauma narrative), setting and modality, access, and caregiver or family involvement. This chapter provides a review of considerations to explore when selecting or recommending interventions to match the context of the presenting youth. It also briefly presents information on several evidence-based treatments commonly utilized and delineates relevant targets the selected interventions are designed to address.