Alternatives for Families: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children of High-Conflict Relationships

Abstract

A family environment of high conflict, coercion, and/or physical abuse presents numerous risks for children, with the potential for significant psychiatric, behavioral, and adjustment difficulties, including aggression, poor interpersonal skills/functioning, and emotional reactivity. Caregivers in such families often employ punitive or excessive parenting practices, demonstrate frequent anger and hyperarousal, and make negative attributions to the child, which creates stressful home. Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy emphasizes training in intra- and interpersonal skills designed to enhance self-control and promote family functioning. Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a third-generation, evidence-based and evidence-informed cognitive behavioral therapy approach.

Keywords

• alternatives for families cognitive behavioral therapy
• child psychology; family conflict.