Main description:

Persistent physical symptoms that may not be associated with a known medical disease can be perplexing and distressing for children and families. This book gives mental health professionals a complete understanding of somatic symptoms in 6- to 18-year-olds and presents an innovative treatment approach grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Numerous case examples and sample dialogues illustrate how to collaborate with health care and school professionals and conduct effective assessment, psychoeducation, and intervention, within a biopsychosocial framework. User-friendly features include 36 reproducible handouts, worksheets, and templates. Purchasers get access to a companion website where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Contents:

I. Understanding Somatic Symptoms
1. Treating Children with Somatic Symptoms
2. Describing Somatic Symptoms
3. The Biopsychosocial Model of Somatic Symptoms
II. Assessment and Education
4. Assessment
5. Education
III. Intervention
6. Level One: Physical Factors
7. Level Two: Emotional and Behavioral Factors
8. Level Three: Cognitive Strategies
IV. Collaboration
9. Parents and Community
10. School
11. Health Care Colleagues
12. Summary, Challenges, and Successes
Appendix. Reproducible Materials
References