Foundations of CPP

Child parent psychotherapy (CPP) is grounded in theories of attachment and infant mental health, which emphasize the significance of the parent-child relationship in shaping a child's emotional development. The primary goal of CPP is to support and strengthen this relationship, especially after it has been strained or disrupted due to trauma or other adversities.

CPP was founded by Alicia Lieberman and Patricia Van Horn in the 1980s as a model for treating children from infancy to age 5 along with their caregivers. The treatment of mental health concerns in the first years of life is focused primarily on enhancing the quality of the emotional relationship between the young child and the parents. CPP aims to address the parent's unresolved psychological conflicts as these are reenacted in the relationship with the child, stressors and obstacles to effective parenting, and parental strengths as a basis for building new parental competencies.

Who Can Benefit From CPP?

CPP is specifically designed for children aged 0-5 and their primary caregivers. This age group is particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of trauma, as early childhood is a critical period in cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Families who can benefit from CPP often have experienced:

• Domestic violence
• Physical or emotional abuse
• Prolonged separations
• Loss of loved ones
• Other traumatic events

Core Components of CPP

1. Safety and Stabilization: Initially, the therapist works to create a safe environment in which the child and parent can engage. Addressing immediate safety concerns and stabilizing the living situation is paramount.

2. Creating a Narrative: Therapists work with parents and children to help them narrate their traumatic experiences. This helps in organizing confusing and frightening events in a way that makes sense and can be processed.

3. Emotional Regulation: One of the primary goals of CPP is to teach parents and children skills to manage and express their emotions in healthier ways.

4. Processing with the Parent: CPP assists parents in understanding how their early experiences may impact their current parenting choices, and help parents reflect on new ways of engaging their children in overcoming patterns that may have emerged from traumatic experiences.

The Process of CPP

Therapeutic sessions often involve both the child and the parent, and the therapist engages them in play, storytelling, and other age-appropriate activities. These interactions allow the therapist to observe the dynamics of the relationship, offering guidance, and interventions that promote understanding, empathy, and effective communication.

Throughout the process, therapists also work individually with parents, offering them tools, insights, and strategies to support their child's emotional and developmental needs.

Benefits of CPP

• Strengthened Parent-Child Bond: By addressing traumatic experiences and fostering open communication, CPP helps restore trust and closeness in the parent-child relationship.

• Improved Emotional Regulation: Both children and parents develop better ways to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions.

• Enhanced Development: Children are better equipped to achieve appropriate developmental milestones.

• Reduction in Symptoms: Many families report a decrease in symptoms of trauma, such as anxiety, withdrawal, and aggressive behaviors.