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Chapter 8 - A Family-Based Approach to the Treatment of Youth Depression

from Part III - Family Intervention for Specific Child and Adolescent Mental Health Problems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2021

By
Martha C. Tompson ,
Caroline Swetlitz  and
Joan R. Asarnow
Edited by
Jennifer L. Allen ,
David J. Hawes  and
Cecilia A. Essau
Jennifer L. Allen
Affiliation:
University of Bath
David J. Hawes
Affiliation:
University of Sydney
Cecilia A. Essau
Affiliation:
Roehampton University, London
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Summary

Treatment of depression during childhood and early adolescence frequently involves numerous challenges, including co-morbidity, stress and mental health problems within the family. Given the embeddedness of youth within family structures during this developmental period, a family-based model may be particularly advantageous. Family-focused treatment for childhood depression (FFT-CD) is a developmentally-informed intervention that specifically targets family interactions to build strengths and resiliency within the family system to better manage and combat depression. By incorporating an interpersonal model, family members are assisted in identifying both ‘upward’ (helpful and positive) and ‘downward’ (unhelpful and negative) interactional spirals. This model provides a powerful and positive rationale for family inclusion in treatment and specifies the goals of the intervention. In further family sessions, psycho-education, communication enhancement, behavioral activation and problem-solving skills development are then used to build on existing strengths and disrupt negative transactions. In this chapter we describe the conceptual roots and intervention strategies of FFT-CD, illustrate its implementation using case descriptions and discuss core clinician competencies and approaches to common challenges in its implementation (e.g., co-morbidity, sibling inclusion, family stress). FFT-CD provides a flexible and efficacious intervention for depressive symptoms and disorders during a crucial period of development.

Keywords

Depressionfamily-focused therapystresschildrenmood disordersinterpersonal modelcognitive behavioralpsychoeducation
Type
Chapter
Information
Family-Based Intervention for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
A Core Competencies Approach
 , pp. 87 - 99
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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