Between 2003 and 2006 Dr. Terr collected 48 vignettes form 34 child and adolescent psychiatrists describing turning points in young people's therapies. Before the turning point, the child patient had been making progress, at a standstill, or doing poorly. Afterward, he or she changed dramatically for the better. This keynote will present four aspects of these dramatic changes that therapists can easily keep in mind: the therapist's persona; the therapeutic atmosphere; the therapist's correct "read" of the child; and the therapeutic reaction. Many of these moments come with careful planning. But, just as many - or more - develop in a "blink."
Whether brief or long-term, the treatment of childhood trauma should include an opportunity for the youngster to abreact (express strong emotion), correct (find individual, community or even fantasized solutions), and to discover contexts (perspectives and understandings of the events that occurred). Dr. Terr will thoroughly discuss and exemplify these three modes of treatment, selecting brief therapies as the clinical examples.