Application of Yoga in Residential Treatment of Traumatized Youth

Background: The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute has adapted a form of Hatha yoga into a trauma-sensitive adjunctive component of intervention for use with complexly traumatized individuals exhibiting chronic affective and somatic dysregulation and associated behavioral, functioning, and health complaints. Objectives: This article explores the use of yoga with traumatized youth (aged 12-21 years) in residential treatment. Design: A review of the literature on the somatic impact of trauma exposure provides a rationale for the use of yoga with this population and highlights an emerging evidence base in support of this practice. Case vignettes illustrate the integration of structured, gentle yoga practices into residential programming for youth with severe emotional and behavioral problems. Results: Anecdotal data and clinical observation underscore the promise of yoga as a viable approach to build self-regulatory capacity of traumatized youth. Conclusions: Future directions in the development and evaluation of trauma-informed yoga practices for youth are discussed.

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Theraplay

Advances in Psychology, Mental Health, and Behavioral Studies - Emerging Research in Play Therapy, Child Counseling, and Consultation ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-2224-9.ch003 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 42-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Catherine Tucker ◽

Sondra Smith-Adcock

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Problems ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Neuroscience Research ◽

Wide Range ◽

Current Evidence Base ◽

Childhood Problems ◽

Families With Children

Theraplay® is a brief, attachment-based parent-child psychotherapy approach that uses interactional play to establish ‘affectional' bonds between caregiver and child. Recent research related to Theraplay suggests it is an evidence-based practice for use in schools and clinical settings for a wide range of childhood problems, including those that are trauma-based. Of particular importance, Theraplay is emerging as an approach that is consistent with current neuroscience research on children's brain development and new understandings of attachment and disruption advanced by researchers. Young clients with some form of trauma-related symptoms comprise a large percentage of clinical cases, and present with complicated emotional and behavioral problems In this chapter, we will explore the basic theoretical underpinnings of Theraplay, the relevant mechanisms of change, and current evidence base. Although Theraplay can be used with a wide range of clients and problems, in this chapter, the focus will be on the applicatio with families with children who have experienced trauma.

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Polyvictimization and Psychosocial Outcomes Among Trauma-Exposed, Clinic-Referred Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System

Child Maltreatment ◽

10.1177/10775595211025096 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107755952110250

Author(s):

Heather T. Pane Seifert ◽

Angela M. Tunno ◽

Ernestine C. Briggs ◽

Sherika Hill ◽

Damion J. Grasso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Juvenile Justice ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Latent Class ◽

Juvenile Justice System ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Latino Youth ◽

Psychosocial Outcomes ◽

Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽

Trauma Informed ◽

Cross System

Polyvictimization is a robust predictor of emotional and behavioral problems and is linked to involvement in juvenile justice and other public sector systems. This study extends prior research by employing person-centered methods for identifying polyvictimization patterns among trauma-exposed, clinic-referred, justice-involved youth ( n = 689; ages 12–18 years) and how identified classes differ on psychosocial outcomes and demographic characteristics. Most participants had experienced multiple traumatic event (TE) types. Latent class analyses identified three classes: mixed trauma/bereavement exposure group (55.1%; Mean = 3.0 TE types); maltreatment polyvictimized group (29.3%; Mean = 5.7 TE types); and maltreatment plus extreme violence polyvictimized group (15.7%; Mean = 9.3 TE types). Polyvictimized youth were more likely to be female, in out-of-home placements, and experiencing negative psychosocial outcomes (e.g., Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). Hispanic/Latino youth were overrepresented in the extreme polyvictimized subgroup. Results underscore the need for cross-system coordination of trauma-informed, comprehensive services for clinic-referred, justice-involved youth.

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