Adoption and foster care children may benefit from certain therapeutic strategies. Here are five options to consider:
In the world of therapy, finding the right approach for an adopted or foster child can be a challenging endeavour. A simple online search for "attachment therapy" may yield negative results, as this controversial "alternative therapy" has been met with criticism and controversy.
Attachment therapy, also known as "holding therapy" or rage reduction therapy, is a technique often used with adopted or foster children who struggle with forming attachments with parental figures. However, it has been declared as a treatment without empirical support by the Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health. The therapy has been linked to the death of a young girl named Candace Newmaker during a "rebirthing" session, and is considered an "abusive therapy" that should not be legal in the U.S.
The child welfare system, unfortunately, often fails to educate families about appropriate therapies for adopted or foster children. This lack of knowledge can lead to the misuse of therapies like attachment therapy, potentially re-traumatizing children who are already struggling with mental and behavioral health issues.
When seeking therapy, it's crucial to research therapists and agencies thoroughly before engaging in any treatment. The organization that offers recommendations for appropriate therapies for children from adoption or foster care with mental and behavioral health issues is the Fachverband Traumapädagogik e.V., which focuses on trauma pedagogy standards in foster care and hosts relevant expert conferences.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be challenging and even unhealthy for some kids. A RAD therapist, who believes that Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a disorder that requires a "special treatment," may not use CBT or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). It's important to note that RAD is often introduced to adopted or foster children.
The Trauma-Focused CBT approach is a useful treatment for children with trauma histories, but creating a trauma narrative can potentially trigger negative reactions such as acting out, suicidal thoughts, or self-injury. Complementary and Alternative Therapy (CAM Therapy) is often not scientifically proven to be effective and should be researched carefully before being used.
Medication can be beneficial for adopted or foster children struggling with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, encopresis, enuresis, and other health problems. However, some kids may not require medication for their issues, and a holistic approach from a doctor may be preferred.
Adoptive and foster parents who "buy into" unproven therapeutic techniques tend to over-identify with the therapist or are burned-out and looking for a "cure." Parent-child sessions in trauma therapy may not be effective if the parent is disengaged, immature, rejecting, or uncaring.
In conclusion, it's essential for families to be well-informed about the therapies available for their adopted or foster children. The visibility and popularity of certain types of "treatment" like attachment therapy are alarming, and as a child and adolescent therapist, I am appalled and disappointed by their prevalence. It's crucial to seek out evidence-based therapies and to be aware of the potential risks associated with certain techniques.
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