Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy developed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR therapy helps people heal from emotional pain and psychological symptoms that are the result of disturbing life experiences. It is based on the idea that the mind can heal from psychological trauma much like […]
Trauma without Healthy Attachment: How a Child Feels
–by Janyne McConnaughey, PhD I sat on the floor next to her. I understood her fear of abandonment, the trauma she had experienced, and how her mother had been unable to provide any form of comfort. I watched her body shake uncontrollably and offered a blanket. I knew she would not want me to hold […]
The Classroom through the Lens of Trauma
–by Janyne McConnaughey, Ph.D. The doctor my parents took me to was wise beyond his era. He said, “She seems to be a bit anxious about school. Maybe it would help to keep her home for a week.” My first-grade report card proves that his advice was taken. In the midst of almost perfect attendance, […]
Nutrition
Many parents report their children finding relief and their behaviors improving if nutritional changes are made or vitamins and supplements are added to the child’s daily regime. Some have used protocols usually prescribed for children with autism, ADHD or other neurological disabilities. Child Diagnostics/Dianne Craft is a website that describes the use of nutrition and supplements […]
Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT)
This approach to therapy of maltreated children is being developed by Dr. Bruce Perry, a leading expert in early childhood trauma. Dr. Perry and the staff at Child Trauma Academy in Texas have created a “developmentally sensitive, neurobiologically informed approach to clinical work.” This approach is based on what Dr. Perry knows about brain development, which includes […]
TF- CBT
Coming Soon
Medication
There is NO medication specifically for RAD, attachment difficulties or trauma. However, ATN does not discourage the use of medications. Many families have found that medications help to treat symptoms and lessen anxiety, intrusive thoughts and behaviors in such a way that the child is better able to benefit from therapies and other interventions. Parents should seek […]
Neuro-Based Approaches
One of the fastest-evolving areas of promising interventions for traumatized/attachment-disordered children in the area of neuroscience approaches. These approaches are based on the premise of brain plasticity; that is, the research that shows the brain is able to continue growing, changing and developing throughout a person’s life. These approaches target the brain’s chemical, electrical and structural by […]
Theraplay
Theraplay® assumes that the primary motivating force in human behavior is a drive toward relatedness to others not objects. Personality development is at its core interpersonal. The early interactions between parent and child are the crucible in which the self and personality develop. During treatment sessions objects are not used to resolve issues of childhood trauma, attachment, or […]
Real Life Heroes
Real Life Heroes provides practitioners with easy-to-use tools including a life storybook, manual, creative arts activities, and psycho education resources to engage children and caregivers in trauma-focused services. Tools and procedures were developed and tested with latency-age[1] children in a wide range of child and family service programs including children with symptoms of Complex PTSD […]