Child-Parent Psychotherapy Shows Promise for Treating Trauma in Young Children

Young children who experience traumatic events often do not receive adequate support, partly due to a lack of tailored therapeutic methods for this age group in Sweden. However, recent research from Karlstad University highlights a promising approach known as Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). This method, designed specifically for children under six years old, has already demonstrated success in the United States and now shows significant potential in Swedish clinical settings.

The research, conducted by Anna Norlén, involved training staff in the CPP method, after which both children and their parents participated in targeted trauma treatment sessions. The effectiveness of this intervention was assessed through evaluations of the child's emotional health and the quality of the parent-child relationship before the treatment, immediately after, and six months later. The findings were encouraging, revealing that the improvements were both substantial and lasting.

Norlén’s study found that many children had experienced trauma related to accidents, war, displacement, or the loss of loved ones. Importantly, both children and their caregivers showed positive outcomes post-treatment, with reductions in trauma symptoms and strengthened bonds between parent and child. CPP emphasizes working with both the child and caregiver, with a strong focus on play from the child's perspective. Play serves as a vital communication channel, enabling adults to connect with children and help them process their experiences.

While the study involved a relatively small sample size, it provides crucial evidence that CPP can effectively address trauma in young children and improve family dynamics. Norlén hopes this initial success will lead to broader adoption of the method across Sweden.

Anna Norlén presented her doctoral thesis titled "Trauma Treatment for Young Children: Outcome and Experiences of Child-Parent Psychotherapy in Sweden" at Karlstad University on May 23, 2025. This research marks an important step toward better mental health interventions for the youngest trauma survivors.

For more details, the full thesis is available here.