The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare

This document was printed from the website of the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC), which you can access at http://www.cachildwelfareclearinghouse.org/

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) - Detailed Report

Scientific Rating:
4
Lacks Adequate Research Evidence
See scale of 1-6
Scientific Rating:
4 - Lacks Adequate Research Evidence
On a scale of 1-6

Relevance to Child Welfare Rating:
1
High
See scale of 1-3
Relevance to Child Welfare Rating:
1 - High
On a scale of 1-3

Type of Maltreatment: Exposure to domestic violence, Physical abuse, and Sexual abuse

Target Population: Children 3-17 years of age who have experienced sexual abuse trauma.

Brief Description:

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) has been rated by the CEBC in the area of Trauma Treatment for Children. FST was created in response to the need for a therapy model that can be used effectively with child sexual abuse victims when criminal and civil court cases are actively pending. It is employed at the conclusion of the investigative process, when a decision has been made that sexual abuse is likely to have occurred, the case is being sent forward for prosecution, and the child is exhibiting signs of trauma. The FST model is an ecological approach that uses multiple modalities of intervention, including: 1) therapy for the child's sexual abuse trauma that includes both the child and non-offending caregiver, 2) specific intervention and support for the non-offending caregiver pertaining to the multiple losses sustained in the aftermath of sexual abuse discovery, 3) interface with the Criminal Justice System and criminal court, 4) interface with Child Protective Services and civil courts, and 5) interface with schools and other professionals typically involved in child abuse cases.

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Essential Components

Show Essential Components

  • Conduct a thorough trauma assessment. The therapist uses clinical observation, interviews with parents (and sometimes teachers), assessment instruments, and various in-session activities to learn about the child's trauma issues.
  • Engage the caregiver in appropriate intervention. The caregiver participates in the child's therapy sessions as appropriate. Caregivers are also invited to participate in individual treatment.
  • Assess the forensic aspects of the case. The therapist takes into account the forensic aspects of the case and interfaces with Child Protective Services and the Criminal Justice System.
  • Conduct a strength and needs assessment of the child. After the initial stage of rapport building and developmental assessment, the therapist begins a process of learning about the child's understanding of his or her support systems. Then the therapist looks at ways the child can be encouraged to access existing and new forms of support such as supportive and competent caregivers, safety in home or placement, resources, residential permanence, adequate school system and education plan, healthy peer group and safe neighborhood, etc
  • Assist the child in articulating their abuse experience. The therapist encourages expression of affect related to the abuse using a variety of FST exercises and formats.
  • Address specific behavioral and emotional symptoms. The therapist works with the child on specific behaviors and emotions and promotes healing of the existing trauma dynamics. Specific symptoms are treated primarily with psycho-education and cognitive behavioral techniques in FST.
  • Enhance resiliency factors and body safety awareness. The final stage of therapy is focused on bolstering the innate resilience of the child, increasing body safety awareness, helping the child to recognize their strengths, and developing strategies for the future.

  • The accompanying parent/caregiver component is called "Family Advocates", which has four components for addressing issues of caregivers:

    A) Safety planning and preservation of the caregiver-child family unit;
    B) Education for the caregiver on his or her role in the investigative
    process;
    C) Empowerment of the non-offending caregiver to build a safe and stable home; and
    D) Decrease in the likelihood of the non-offending caregiver
    allowing the alleged offender back into the home during the investigation.


Group Format

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) was not designed to be conducted in a group.

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended Parameters

Recommended intensity: One session per week.

Recommended duration: Each session should be 50 minutes in length. It is recommended that treatment sessions span 12-30 weeks.

Homework

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) does not include a homework component.

Delivery Setting

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) is typically conducted in a(n): Community Agency, Hospital, Outpatient Clinic, and Residential Care Facility.

Parent Component

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) was designed with a Parent Component.

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms: Parent of a child who has experienced sexual abuse.

Child Component

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) was designed with a Child Component.

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms: Trauma symptoms related to sexual abuse, including behavioral and emotional symptoms such as PTSD and attachment disorders.

Age range(s): 3-17

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) was not developed for children with developmental delays.

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) has not been tested for children with developmental delays.

Racial/Ethnic Diversity

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) was not designed for specific racial/ethnic/cultural groups.

Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) was not tested in specific racial/ethnic/cultural groups.

Education and Training Resources

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program.

There is training available for Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST).

Training contact: Contact Emily Donaldson, edonaldson@nationalcac.org, for more information.

Number of days/hours: There is currently no set training program.

Training is obtained: There is currently no set training program; e-mail consultation available with training contact listed above.

There currently are not additional qualified resources for training.

Identified Resources Necessary to Implement Program

The typical resources for implementing Forensically Sensitive Therapy (FST) are: Therapy room, art supplies

Minimum Provider Qualifications

Master's degree in the behavioral sciences

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research

FST currently has no published, peer-reviewed research studies.

 

References

No articles have been published to date on FST.

 

Contact Information

Contact name: Connie Carnes, MS, LPC

Affiliation/Agency: The Renewal Center

Email: ccarnes@knology.net

Phone: 256-679-6727

Website: http://www.nationalcac.org

Date reviewed: May 2008 (originally reviewed May 2006)