Evidence is growing that trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral
therapy (TF-CBT) is an effective treatment for sexually abused
children, including those who have experienced multiple other
traumatic events. This article reviews the research that has
examined treatments for sexually abused children and suggests
future research priorities in this regard. Most of the studies
that have evaluated TF-CBT have been well designed. This
treatment model represents a synthesis of trauma-sensitive
interventions and well-established CBT principles (Cohen et al.,
2001; Deblinger and Heflin, 1996). Trauma-focused cognitive-
behavioral therapy was jointly developed by two groups of
researchers who have recently worked together to conduct
multisite, treatment-outcome studies for sexually abused and
otherwise traumatized children. The therapy was developed to
resolve posttraumatic stress disorder, and depressive and
anxiety symptoms, as well as to address underlying distortions
about self-blame, safety, the trustworthiness of othe