directceu, llc

Course Description:  

This research review course provides an exploration of current, evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents. Through a developmental and culturally sensitive lens, the course investigates how PTSD symptoms manifest differently in children (ages 6–12) and adolescents (ages 12–18), and how treatment must be adapted accordingly. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic challenges, treatment sustainability, and the critical role of family involvement. The course explores research outcomes, identifies best practices, and reflects on gaps in the literature that impact long-term care planning and intervention fidelity.   Designed for psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other mental health professionals, this NBCC and Florida Board approved 2-hour research review course offers practical strategies for tailoring trauma-informed care to meet the complex needs of youth exposed to acute or chronic trauma.

Please review the course materials prior to purchasing the course. Often, individuals will print a copy of the course worksheet to complete while they view the course material. Once you are ready to complete the course, please enroll in the course and complete the course requirements, including the course post-test and course survey. You will receive your certificate automatically for printing or downloading after achieving an 80% or higher on the post-test and completing the course survey. 

Clinical Efficacy of Psychotherapeutic Interventions for PTSD in Children and Adolescents Course Worksheet.pdf

Clinical Efficacy Article Text.pdf

Course Author:  Bryan Glazier, PhD, LMFT, LMHC,, FL Qualified MHC/MFT Supervisor 

Course Time/Location:  2 CE Hours, Location: www.directceu.com (web-based, asynchronous/home study) 

Course Text: Clinical Efficacy of Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Analysis

Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Course Board Approval Statement(s): NBCC, Florida Board Approved

Directceu, llc has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7411. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

directceu, llc (BAP # 50-17578) is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 Financial Disclosure Statement

directceu, llc is committed to providing our professional colleagues with unbiased information. directceu does not accept commercial support and our course authors have no significant financial interests or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.

Learning Objectives:

Through the completion of this course, learners will gain practical strategies for tailoring trauma-informed care to meet the complex needs of youth exposed to acute or chronic trauma.

1. Define Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents, including its developmental variations and symptom presentations across age groups.
2. Identify the most effective evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions for treating PTSD in pediatric populations, with emphasis on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and EMDR.
3. Differentiate between PTSD symptoms in children (ages 6–12) and adolescents (ages 12–18), including age-specific behaviors such as post-traumatic play and dissociation.
4. Describe the diagnostic challenges unique to assessing PTSD in younger clients, including limitations in verbal expression, cognitive development, and symptom reporting.
5. Evaluate the role of family involvement in improving the efficacy and outcomes of psychotherapeutic interventions for childhood and adolescent PTSD.
6. Analyze the influence of developmental stage and cultural context on treatment selection, implementation, and outcome effectiveness in trauma-informed care.
7. Summarize the research methodology and findings from the systematic review, including the criteria used for selecting studies and the evidence base supporting specific treatment models.
8. Assess gaps in current research, including the need for long-term outcome data and exploration of intervention mechanisms, to inform future clinical practice and study.

Course Syllabus:

1. Introduction to Pediatric PTSD
   1. Definition and diagnostic criteria of PTSD in children and adolescents
   2. Key differences in symptom presentation between youth and adults
   3. Overview of trauma types (acute, complex, developmental, transgenerational)
   4. Prevalence and public health relevance
2. Developmental and Clinical Symptom Presentation
   1. Symptom clusters in children (6–12) vs. adolescents (12–18)
   2. Behavioral indicators: post-traumatic play, hyperarousal, regression, dissociation
   3. Misdiagnosis issues (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, depression)
   4. Gender-specific and age-related risk factors
3. Diagnostic Challenges in Youth
   1. Cognitive and verbal limitations in trauma reporting
   2. Emotional avoidance and parental protection dynamics
   3. Cultural and developmental variability in trauma perception
   4. Assessment considerations using DSM-5 and ICD-11
4. Evidence-based Psychotherapeutic Interventions
   1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
   2. Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)
   3. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
   4. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
   5. Prolonged Exposure for Adolescents (PE-A)
   6. Play Therapy and Art-Based Interventions
   7. Systemic Trauma Therapy
   8. Psychodynamic Therapy
5.  Critical Factors in Treatment Efficacy
   1. The importance of developmental tailoring
   2. Role of parental involvement and family dynamics
   3. Cultural sensitivity and diverse populations (e.g., refugees, minorities)
   4. Short-term vs. long-term effectiveness
   5. Implementation challenges in schools and communities

    6. Gaps in Research and Future Directions

1. Lack of long-term outcome studies and meta-analyses
2. Underrepresentation of certain therapies in pediatric samples
3. Emerging needs post-COVID and in trauma-saturated populations
4. Recommendations for integrating multiple modalities
5. Questions of “what works, for whom, and why”