Feasibility Study of CAVEAT Psychotherapy for Mothers with PTSD and Their Young Children Ages 1 to 4.5 Years

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the feasibility of a brief manualized psychotherapy called Clinician Assisted Videofeedback Exposure-Approach Therapy CAVEAT for mothers of infants and young children who have experienced interpersonal violence and developed related post-traumatic stress. This therapy combines proven techniques like Modified Interaction Guidance, Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, and Minding the Baby to address mothers difficulties in sensitive parenting during challenging interactions with their children. The study aims to refine the therapy manual and prepare for larger trials by measuring maternal perceptions, parent-child behavior, and symptoms of attachment disturbance and PTSD. The study involves a small group of 10 to 12 mother-child pairs participating in 16 psychotherapy sessions using CAVEAT. Mothers attend most sessions along with their infants or young children aged 12 to 54 months. The therapy uses clinician-assisted video feedback during parent-child interactions to help mothers better understand and respond to their childs emotional communication and developmental needs. This open feasibility trial is conducted in an outpatient mental health clinic setting at a public university hospital. Participants will be assessed through questionnaires on treatment satisfaction, parenting stress, and maternal attributions, as well as observations of mother-child interactions before and after the therapy. The study tracks session completion, drop-outs, and therapist adherence to the manual. Safety is monitored, and referrals are made if urgent issues arise. The total participation duration averages about one year, with ongoing evaluation of therapy acceptability, alliance, and effectiveness indicators during this period.

Clinician-Assisted Videofeedback Exposure-Approach Therapy (CAVEAT) Trial