Choosing Therapy for Adopted Children and Youth

Some adoptive families will seek additional support from a therapist or counselor to help with adoption concerns for their children, themselves, or the family. Find resources in this section to help determine when to seek therapy and how to choose a therapist experienced in adoption.

All About Therapy for Older Adopted Children
Hicks (2017)
Adoption.com
Explains the importance of finding a skilled and compatible therapist for your adopted child.

Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT)

Series Title	Issue Briefs
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 267KB)
Year Published	2013

Describes the characteristics and benefits of AF-CBT, an evidence-supported intervention that targets (1) diverse individual child and caregiver characteristics related to conflict and intimidation in the home and (2) the family context in which aggression or abuse may occur. It was written primarily to help child welfare caseworkers and other professionals who work with at-risk families make more informed decisions about when to refer children and their parents and caregivers to AF-CBT programs. This information also may help parents, foster parents, and other caregivers understand what they and their children can gain from AF-CBT and what to expect during treatment.

Alternatives for Families – A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Provides a brief overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), a family treatment that is proven to improve relationships between parents and caregivers of school-age children. The site includes a fact sheet and a culture-specific fact sheet that provide detailed information about AF-CBT.

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)
Quality Improvement Center for Adoption & Guardianship Support and Preservation (QIC AG)
Describes Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), a treatment for children with complex attachment histories. The site describes the assessment that begins the treatment, the content of the sessions, and the role of the therapist.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy With At-Risk Families

Series Title	Issue Briefs
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 270KB)
Year Published	2013

Describes the characteristics and benefits of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), a family-centered treatment approach proven effective for abused and at-risk children ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers—birth parents, adoptive parents, or foster or kin caregivers. It was written primarily to help child welfare caseworkers and other professionals who work with at-risk families make more informed decisions about when to refer parents and caregivers, along with their children, to PCIT programs. This information may also help parents, foster parents, and other caregivers understand what they and their children can gain from PCIT and what to expect during treatment.

Treatment Outcome Research
Evergreen Psychotherapy Center
Provides results of a study that combined emotional, cognitive, and family systems therapy and discusses parenting-skills training.

What is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)?
PCIT International
Describes the two phases of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), a treatment proven effective in helping parents of young children with behavioral issues. The website includes videos that describe the interactive therapy and show coaching sessions, and it offers a directory for providers in your area.

What Is Trauma-Focused Therapy
Center for Child Trauma Assessment, Services and Interventions (2018)
Provides a definition and description of trauma-focused therapy, its benefits, and treatment activities. This website also discusses how to know if a therapist is trauma-informed, and links to pages that provide tips for choosing a trauma-informed provider.