Child-parent psychotherapy (CPP)

Child-parent psychotherapy (CPP) is an evidenced-based type of therapy for young children ages 0 to 6 who have experienced one or more traumatic event. CPP is used to treat various mental health conditions, but its focus is the treatment of childhood trauma and the behavioral problems, attachment issues, and challenging emotions that result from these traumas. CPP focuses on the parent-child relationship, with the theory that strengthening this relationship can help children feel more secure and understood. This creates a more secure attachment where the parent can better understand and meet a child’s needs, and the child is able to confidently rely on their parent.

What are the origins of child-parent psychotherapy?

CPP was developed by Alicia Lieberman and Patricia Van Horn in the late 1990s at the Child Trauma Research Program in San Francisco. CPP gets many of its core principles from attachment theory but also incorporates ideas from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), child development, psychodynamic theory, and other trauma-informed treatments. CPP is also deeply rooted in multiculturalism and respecting the cultural values of the family.

When is child-parent psychotherapy used?

Child-parent psychotherapy is used to treat children from birth through age six, along with their primary caregivers. CPP is one of the few evidence-based treatment programs used to address infant mental health, toddler mental health, and the mental health of preschoolers affected by trauma.

CPP is used to treat any type of trauma impacting young children and their caregivers, including but not limited to:

• Loss of a loved one
• Divorce/parental separation
• Witnessing or experiencing a natural disaster
• Medical trauma
• Trauma inflicted by a caregiver
• Witnessing domestic violence or intimate partner violence
• Maltreatment, neglect, or abuse
• Abuse in the community or within child welfare systems

Additionally, CPP helps manage some of the symptoms and diagnoses that can result from early childhood traumas, such as:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Avoidance, nightmares, or clinginess
• Child behavior issues – Angry outbursts, crying spells, or withdrawal
• Child development issues – Behavioral regression such as bathroom incidents or using baby talk
• Attachment issues – Separation anxiety, clinginess, withdrawal
• Parent-child relationship challenges – Arguments, conflict, poor communication

How does child-parent psychotherapy work?

Child-parent psychotherapy is based on the idea that in order to heal trauma in children, parents and caregivers often need to strengthen the bond with their children, learn how to better understand them, gain insight on how to best address their needs, and learn how to form secure, safe attachments to their children.

You will discuss actionable ways to respond to your child’s behaviors in helpful and supportive ways. You will gain understanding of how your child’s traumas have impacted them and as well as how it’s affected your parent-child bond. Finally, you will work on fostering feelings of safety and well being within your relationship with your child and as a family unit.

How long does child-parent psychotherapy take?

Child-parent psychotherapy typically involves weekly therapy sessions. On average, it takes about 50 sessions to complete CPP. Most of the time, both parents and child are present for therapy sessions, but sometimes clinicians will speak to each person separately. Young children will be engaged in therapy either through “talk therapy” or play-based therapy, depending on their age and developmental needs.

What is child-parent psychotherapy like?

During CPP, your therapist may engage you and your child in discussion about feelings, emotions, and experiences.  When you first start CPP, your therapist will take some time to get to know you and your child. They may ask:

• What you and/or your child’s challenges are
• Your past experiences and mental health history
• What you see as your strengths
• What your values are as a family

Next, your therapist will help come up with a plan of care for you and your child. This will include your goals for treatment and how the treatment will work. You will also gain a better understanding of how child-parent psychotherapy works and what to expect during therapy.

Is child-parent psychotherapy effective?

CPP is an evidenced-based form of therapy. At least five randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that CPP can decrease trauma symptoms in young children. A small 2024 study out of Sweden found that CPP decreased posttraumatic stress and general psychiatric symptoms in both children and their caregivers. Additionally, caregivers who participated in CPP reported strengthened relationships with their children.

It’s known that trauma doesn’t just impact people emotionally, but can have lasting effects on overall health and well-being. A 2024 study out of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that CPP has the potential to slow biological aging and prevent serious diseases among children who’ve experienced various types of trauma.

How to find a child-parent psychotherapist

If you think child-parent psychotherapy might be right for your family, it’s important to speak with a licensed and experienced clinician who has undergone additional training in child-parent psychotherapy. There are many types of mental health care providers who practice CPP, including licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) and more.

Finding a therapist who accepts your insurance can make therapy much more affordable. You can find a therapist who accepts your insurance and specializes in CPP by using Grow Therapy. After filtering for your location, insurance, and needs, you can then select “Child Parent Psychotherapy” from the “Treatment methods” drop-down.