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There are many misconceptions and fictions about treatments for trauma-attachment disordered children. Is treatment dangerous and deadly? Is it a miracle cure? What, exactly, is Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy? First, some truths. Affective Developmental Psychotherapy and other attachment therapies are the only form of treatment that is effective with trauma-attachment disordered children. It is the only "evidence-based" treatment, meaning that there has been research published in peer-reviewed journals1. In an on-going follow-up study we found that 1.3 years after treatment ended, there were statistically significant reductions in aggressive, delinquent, avoidant, and other symptoms7. Affective Developmental Psychotherapy is primarily an experiential-based treatment, designed to facilitate experiences of safety and security so that a secure attachment may grow. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, an attachment-based therapy, as with any specialized treatment, must be provided by a competent, well-trained, licensed professional. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, an attachment-based therapy is a family-focused treatment. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, an attachment-based therapy, is the name for an approach and a set of principals that have proven to be effective in helping trauma-attachment disordered children heal; that is, develop healthy, trusting, and secure relationships with caregivers. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, an attachment-based therapy is based on five central principals. These principals are based on the causes and courses of disorders of attachment. At the core of Reactive Attachment Disorder is trauma caused by significant and substantial experiences of neglect, abuse, or prolonged and unresolved pain in the first two years to three years of life. These experiences disrupt the normal attachment process so that the child's capacity to form a secure attachment with a caregiver is distorted or absent. The child lacks trust, safety, and security. The child develops a negative working model of the world in which: - Adults are experienced as inconsistent or hurtful.
- The world is viewed as chaotic.
- The child experiences no effective influence on the world.
- The child attempts to rely only on him/her self.
- The child feels an overwhelming sense of shame, the child feels defective, bad, unlovable, and evil.
FIRST PRINCIPAL. Therapy must be experiential. Since the roots of disorders of attachment occur pre-verbally, therapy must create experiences that are healing. Experiences, not words, are the "active ingredient" in the healing process. Traumatized children who are unable to trust do not respond to traditional forms of treatment such as play therapy, residential treatment, or talk therapies, since these therapies require and work through a relationship between the therapist and client. Effective therapy uses experiences to help a child experience safety, security, acceptance, empathy, and emotional attunement. A number of techniques and methods are used including psychodrama, playful and nurturing activities, and other exercises. One key element is maintaining emotional attunement with the child through PACE; being Playful, Accepting, Curious, and Empathic.
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