Improved Treatment for Developmental Trauma

More than two thirds of children treated by the National Child Trauma Stress Network do not meet criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. This article examines the research and arguments of psychologists and psychiatrists who study complex childhood trauma in order to advocate for its inclusion in present classification systems.

Part of the APA Monitor's CE Corner article series.

New format: After reading the CE Corner article, you will be asked to complete a "Commitment-to-Change" (CTC) exercise. The CTC exercise is designed to help facilitate the translation of your learning into practice. Completion of the CTC is required prior to the completion of the CE Test based on the APA Monitor CE Corner article.

This product is not included in the APA Unlimited CE program.

New York state psychologists: This program is not currently in compliance with the unique requirements imposed by the New York State Board of Education for New York licensed psychologists CE.

• Describe developmental trauma disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder and understand how they differ from post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Explain how adverse experiences in childhood can impact development.
• Describe several interventions used to treat children and adolescents with a history of complex trauma.

Zara Abrams