CHILD INTERVENTION

The CBPT Research Center deals with psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at the developmental age.

The methodology used is Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy,(CBPT), incorporating cognitive and behavioral interventions within Play Therapy, provides a theoretical approach that differs from other play therapies. Mainly in terms of its structure, psycho-educational components, and goal-directed and collaborative approaches between the therapist and child.

HOW THE INTERVENTION IS ORGANIZED?

1. Exploratory interview

It is essential to guide and prepare both the child and parents for CBPT. Tipically, the therapist meets the parents without the child present, in order to complete a clinical interview. History and background information about child are obtained, through rating scales from the parents. In addition, if necessary, the therapist provides information about therapy structure and parental involvement.

2. Assessment stage

In addition to formalized assessments (i.e., clinical interview, rating scales) of the child’s symptoms, understanding their play skills and ability requested is important. These moments are important in determining whether CBPT is an appropriate and effective child intervention.

3. Intervention stage

Following the assessment stage, the therapist develops a treatment plan. The duration will be closely linked to the objectives to be set. The therapy is focused on increasing the child’s self-control, sense of accomplishment, and learning more adaptive responses to deal with specific situations. Depending on the presenting problem, the therapist chooses the most appropriate cognitive and behavioral interventions.

CBPT is developed using a cognitive behavioral theoretical model and by integrating empirically supported techniques with play. In fact, these techniques are aimed to help children develop adaptive skills that are appropriate to the child’s cognitive, emotional and social developmental level.

4. Termination

In the final stage, the child and the family are gradually prepared for the end of therapy. As the treatment nears its end, the child deals with the reality of termination and faces the feelings connected to it.

The concluded treatments are monitored over time and a follow-up after 6/12 months at the end of the intervention is required.

SETTING AND MATERIALS

CBPT is usually conducted in a playroom or office equipped ideally with a variety of toys and materials. Among these are used: Puppets, Papers of different colors, Markers/crayons, Dollhouse, Family set of figures, Books on many different topics, Toy cars, games to build therapeutic alliance, Clay and Play dough, Legos or other building supplies, Posters and stickers and feeling blocks, Dry erase board ecc. 

The child intervention can sometimes take place outside the playroom especially for those children with specific anxieties or phobias that are then treated in vivo. 

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