Topic: Case Management, PTSD, Trauma, Behavioral Problems
Target Population: Adolescents
Sector: Community-Based
This program is for adolescents who have emotional and behavioral challenges.
Fairy Tale Model, a community-based, trauma-informed psychotherapy program, is designed to help participants process trauma, improve self-management skills, and learn to handle future problems.
Results from one randomized controlled trial indicated significant improvements in trauma symptoms and behavioral problems in the treatment group, compared to the control group, from pretest to posttest. These results were maintained at a 3-month follow-up. Results from a single group study indicated improvements in presenting problems, decreases in time to discharge, and increased rates of discharge to lower levels of care. Results from a second single group study, in which an adaptation of the Fairy Tale Model was implemented with a group of impoverished urban children, indicated significant reductions in post-traumatic stress symptoms from pretest to posttest.
The Fairy Tale Model is a system that intends to address problem behaviors in youth such as aggression, substance use, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Goals or outcomes are specified for therapy, and the participant and therapist work together to meet these goals in a sequential order. The model is adaptable, and the therapist may use a variety of research-supported interventions, such as motivational interviewing, parent training, self-management skills training, trauma resolution, or relapse prevention, to help the participant achieve his or her goals.
In staff training for the Fairy Tale Model, the program is introduced by telling a fairy tale, and each element of the fairy tale corresponds to one of the phases in treatment. Phases of treatment include the following:
Information on previous implementation of this program was not located.
Facilitators should be mental health professionals (or graduate students/interns) who provide or supervise psychotherapy. One-day, online training is available for $30 per person. Please use details in the Contact section for more information on training and associated costs.
Considerations for implementing the Fairy Tale Model include hiring suitable facilitators and ensuring they receive training, acquiring participant buy-in and commitment, finding a location to hold sessions, and ensuring the program is delivered with fidelity.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing Fairy Tale Model, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu
Implementation time varies.
Information on implementation costs was not located.
To move the Fairy Tale Model to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation with a strong study design should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program. Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact the Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute by mail 285 Prospect St., Northampton, MA, 01060, phone 1-413-416-1946, email info@ticti.org, or visit https://www.ticti.org/contact-us/
Becker, J., Greenwald, R., & Mitchell, C. (2011). Trauma-informed treatment for disenfranchised urban children and youth: An open trial. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 28(4), 257-272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-011-0230-4
Farkas, L., Cyr, M., Lebeau, T. M., & Lemay, J. (2010). Effectiveness of MASTR EMDR therapy for traumatized adolescents. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 3(2), 125-142. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361521003761325
Greenwald, R., Siradas, L., Schmitt, T. A., Reslan, S., Fierle, J., & Sande, B. (2012). Implementing trauma-informed treatment for youth in a residential facility: First-year outcomes. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 29(2), 141-153. https://doi.org/10.1080/0886571X.2012.676525
Barron, I., & Mitchell, D. (2019). The Fairy Tale Model: Secure facility therapist perceptions. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 12(2), 257-267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-018-0203-2
