Integrating Animal-Assisted Therapy Into Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Maltreated Youth

TF-CBT is typically described as including 3 phases, each focusing on a common goal and encompassing a third of treatment (4 sessions). The first phase focuses on skills-building and includes psychoeducation, parenting skills training, relaxation skills training, affect modulation skills training, and cognitive coping skills training. The second phase involves focused gradual exposure activities, including construction of a narrative account of the child's maltreatment experiences and cognitive processing of maladaptive thoughts. The third phase emphasizes the child's mastery over environmental reminders of the maltreatment and includes sharing the trauma narrative with the caregiver, in vivo exposure to physical stimuli, and enhancing future development.

TF-CBT, as described in the other arm, with animal-assisted therapy as an adjunct intervention. During the administration of TF-CBT, a certified service dog will be in the room and the participant may elect to interact with the dog as various points throughout the sessions.