Young Children and Trauma: Intervention and Treatment

Recent years have seen significant advances in knowledge about the effects of exposure to psychological trauma on young children from birth to age 5. This volume brings together leading experts to address practical considerations in working with traumatized young children and their caregivers. State-of-the-art assessment and treatment approaches are presented, together with innovative service delivery models. With a focus on building cross-disciplinary collaboration to better serve this vulnerable population, this is an indispensable resource for all mental health and human service professionals working with children at risk. In a new preface to the paperback edition, editor Joy D. Osofsky reflects on critical lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Nicholas Greco IV, MS, BCETS, CATSM(Abbott Laboratories)
Description:As the title indicates, this book examines the impact that severe stress and trauma have on infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from a neurobiological, behavioral, social, and overall functional level. This is a much needed book on what is sadly an all too common occurrence.
Purpose:The purpose is to discuss the most current knowledge about the young child who has been exposed to violence and trauma. Secondly, it is designed to provide clinicians with proven tools, techniques, and strategies for diagnosis and assessment, therapeutic interventions, collaboration with various agencies, and the emotional impact this work has on the clinician. Undoubtedly, these are worthy objectives.
Audience:Child psychologists and psychiatrists, clinical social workers, child protection workers, legal professionals, traumatologists, etc., will benefit from this book. This would also be a perfect fit for any graduate level course on child mental health. The editor and contributing authors are, without question, experts in their respective fields.
Features:The book starts with an excellent foundation for the subsequent chapters by discussing young children and trauma, the cultural issues, and hidden trauma in infancy. The chapter on assessment and treatment is a must read as is the one on diagnostic and treatment issues. Discussion of the legal system and the child welfare system are appropriate and supported with excellent case examples. The case examples are a highlight as they permeate almost the entire book.
Assessment:Comprehensive, up-to-date, and thoroughly interesting, this book covers an area in need of attention and of an authoritative guide such as this.

Joy D. Osofsky, PhD, a psychologist and psychoanalyst, is Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) in New Orleans. She is President of Zero to Three/National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families; past president of the World Association for Infant Mental Health; and Director of the Violence Intervention Program for Children and Families and the LSUHSC Harris Center for Infant Mental Health. Following Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Osofsky was asked to serve as Clinical Director of Child and Adolescent Initiatives for Louisiana Spirit for the Louisiana State Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Mental Health. She is editor or coeditor of Young Children and Trauma, Children in a Violent Society, Handbook of Infant Development, and WAIMH Handbook of Infant Mental Health; and editor of the Infant Mental Health Journal. Dr. Osofsky's research, intervention, and clinical work with infants, children, and families at high psychosocial risk have been recognized with honors and awards from Division 37 of the American Psychological Association, the Juvenile Court Judges of the 11th Judicial Circuit, and the New Orleans City Council, among others.