This CE course provides an overview, interpretation, and clinical application of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Somatic Therapies, and Solution-Focused Therapy as applied to one trauma case example. The sequelae of relational trauma, which results from severe violations of children’s physical and emotional boundaries by trusted care-givers is an organizing theme in this article. Research and practice findings that help social workers to specify the affective, interpersonal, somatic, and cognitive implications of this particular type of trauma as well as effective practice strategies to intervene are presented. This presentation is consistent with Evidence-Based Practice.

A brief discussion of EBP and its implications for social work practice preceded the case study featuring Charlie. From there, evidence-based principles of psychotherapy to address affective, interpersonal, somatic, and cognitive impacts associated with relational trauma were discussed by April Fletcher. Susan Tohn then provided a succinct overview of her use of Solution Focused approaches to compliment IPT and Somatic Therapies with Charlie.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the value and importance of Clinical Social Workers using Evidence-Based Practice.

2. Identify at least two theoretical assumptions for each of the following models: Somatic Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Solution Focused Therapy.

3. Distinguish three (3) differences between Interpersonal Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy in the case example.