Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Youth

This practice brief provides a practitioner-focused overview of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in youth that includes a review of diagnostic criteria, prevalence patterns, developmentally responsive approaches to assessment, and the use of evidence supported interventions such as team-based care, psychological first aid, trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy, and play-based approaches. We discuss considerations for related training and certification, as well as the importance of ethical and culturally informed practice.