A type of therapy that helps clients, often children, to prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth by utilizing a therapeutic process of play. It harnesses children's natural urge to explore and uses it to help them express emotions that might be otherwise difficult to communicate. Play objects allow the child to displace difficult feelings, dreams, fantasies, and traumas. A therapist may observe the behaviors of the child while playing and also utilize play therapy to assist in the diagnosis process. Both nondirective and directed play therapy are possible.

Play Therapy

Psychopharmacology is the study of medications as a treatment for mental disorders. This includes understanding:

1. Protein binding

2. Half-life

3. Polymorphic genes

4. Drug - to - drug Interactions

Psychopharmacology

Group interventions have shown effectiveness in treatment for survivors of childhood abuse. Group intervention are significantly more effective than individual treatment alone for depression and anxiety in survivors of childhood abuse.


Group Therapy for Survivors of Childhood Abuse



Strengthens a child’s emotional regulation, and the ability to deal with stress provides and teaches the child to accept and give social support, and forms positive/nurturing relationships. 

Secure Attachment Bond

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a psychological treatment that employs a variety of methods to help individuals overcome personal problems, resolve emotional difficulties, and achieve personal growth. The primary goals are to help people find relief from distress, seek solutions to challenges, and modify unhelpful patterns of thinking and acting. Psychotherapy can be utilized as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other approaches, such as biomedical therapy.

Psychotherapy

- Psychotherapy
- Play therapy
- Psychotropic medications

Combination psychotherapy and psycho-pharmacotherapy is the most effective treatment strategy.

Boston University

Abuse is when an individual intentionally torments another individual either physically or emotionally. This can make one more vulnerable to depression later on. 

Abuse

Buckingham, E. T., & Daniolos, P. (2013). Longitudinal Outcomes for Victims of Child Abuse. Current Psychiatry Reports, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-012-0342-3

Longitudinal Outcomes for Victims of Child Abuse

Interpersonal trauma is a type of trauma that occurs in one’s relationships with other individuals. Events that can cause interpersonal trauma include physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, loss of a loved one, etc. 

Interpersonal Trauma

- Physical 
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Psychological/Mental
- Financial/Economic
- Cultural/Identity

Types of Abuse

In infancy, damage includes mental retardation, hearing difficulties, visual problems, learning disabilities, and cognitive dysfunction. Exposure to abuse at any point in life, however, negatively correlates with gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, amygdala, sensory association cortices and cerebellum.

Effects of Abuse on Brain Structure

- Toddler Age 
- Preschool Age
- Primary School Age
- Adolescence

Abuse Effects on Behavioral Development

- Depression
- PTSD
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Common Mental Disorders Following Abuse

Treatment Options for Abuse Victims

During childhood, individual is exposed to neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that leaves them vulnerable to developmental problems into adulthood

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Related

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