Psychotherapeutic Techniques and Play Therapy with Children Who Experienced Trauma: A Review of The Literature

This research examined the use of Play Therapy with children who have experienced emotional, physical or psychological trauma. Past research supports other therapeutic modalities as being effective with children after a traumatic experience, though the validity of play therapy lacks comprehensive quantitative and qualitative support. Based on the concept that play is the natural language of children, this form of treatment is developmentally appropriate, specifically with children under the age of twelve. For the purposes of this research, trauma was categorized in to Type 1 (single occurrences) and Type 2 (recurring trauma). A review of the literature found that although there has been an increase in the use of play therapy, there are disparities in the suggested styles; directive versus child-centered. Though play therapy is becoming increasingly more validated, the field lacks longitudinal studies and research outside of the United States

Recording Victim Video Statements as Evidence to Advance Legal Outcomes in Family Violence Cases (ReVEAL)

This Implementation Guide provides an overview of the video-recording practices currently in place across several Texas jurisdictions. It provides guidance and considerations for jurisdictions in the collection and use of video evidence in family violence cases. This guide is divided into seven sections, including this Background and Overview. The second section includes information for law enforcement on the purpose of video statements, how to develop and implement a video program, and considerations for sustaining a program. The third section focuses on prosecutorial practices for the use of video statements including legal considerations, coordination with partners, and victim engagement around the video statement. The fourth section provides specific information for victim advocates and includes considerations for victim privacy and confidentiality. The fifth section focuses on technology and equipment, with information on type of equipment, technology infrastructure, and efficient transfer of evidence between agencies. The sixth section is the Summary Report of the ReVEAL project. The Summary Report is a technical overview of the evaluation that includes major findings and links to the ReVEAL reports that were previously released. The seventh and final section is comprised of the appendices and provides sample protocols, site overviews, equipment charts, and additional resources that may be helpful to users of this guide. Throughout this guide, there are several examples of cases and practices that illustrate the specific issues that may present themselves when launching a video-recording program. These examples highlight the complexities of the practice while using real world examples of how video impacts family violence cases, victim safety, and privacy.IC2 Institut

The Impact of PTSD on Veterans’ Family Relationships: Mechanisms of Distress and Available Treatments

When veterans return home from war with PTSD, the disorder can have detrimental effects on their close family relationships. Researchers have proposed different mechanisms underlying the distress experienced by partners and children of veterans with PTSD in the hopes that these mechanisms can be targeted in treatment. The purpose of this project is to review and synthesize the current literature on these mechanisms of distress, as well as the treatments that have been designed to address them. This review examines several key factors that account for veterans’ relationship distress, including the important factors of intimacy and aggression. Due to the emotional numbing symptoms of PTSD, veterans have a difficult time experiencing emotions and communicating them to their partners, which can hinder the development of intimacy in the relationship. Through an increased propensity to perceive threat and a loss of self-monitoring, the hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD can lead to intimate partner aggression. A number of couple-based treatments have been developed for veterans with PTSD and their partners, referred to as Behavioral Conjoint Therapies. These interventions are currently only in their pilot stages, but address some of the key mechanisms of distress for veterans and their partners, including intimacy and communication

Assessing the Validity of Preconceptions about Dog Parks: Cleanliness and Disease Transmission

When urban dog owners are not able to utilize standard exercise methods (i.e. walking on a leash or running in the backyard) there are ever-increasing numbers of off-leash dog parks that they can rely on. Some commonly identified benefits of off-leash dog areas (OLDAs) include community building, exercise for dogs and humans, and freedom for dogs. However, some identified struggles facing OLDAs include the preconceptions that OLDAs are dirty, contain aggressive dogs, and possibly spread disease. I found that these preconceptions are largely false. Also, the opinions and some general care patterns between owners who attend OLDAs and those who do not are not significantly different. This signifies that OLDAs are not as bad as some dog owners may be led to believe