Transversal Treatment Based On Education And Emotion Management (EDTP)
More and more children are being diagnosed with different emotional disorders, especially anxiety disorders, in which the prevalence figures reach 15%. The transversal treatment based on education and emotion management (EDTP) aims to teach children and adolescents to manage emotions and day-to-day circumstances.
The hectic pace of life, academic demands, parental stress or genetic vulnerability to suffer from emotional disorders are some factors that can lead children to suffer from any psychological disorder. From this perspective, there are a multitude of treatments aimed at providing a solution to these disorders.
Nowadays, it is taking more and more interest to approach various psychological disorders in a transversal way. It is assumed that many of these disorders share a common core. In this sense, and for the adult population, we can mention Norton’s transdiagnosis cognitive behavioral treatment or Barlow’s Unified Protocol.
In both programs , the factors common to various emotional pathologies (anxiety, depression, somatoform disorders …) are sought, so that they are addressed jointly with the most effective and efficient techniques and strategies.
This practice is currently spreading to the field of child psychology, with proven programs such as the transversal treatment based on education and emotion management (EDTP).
Characteristics of the transversal treatment based on education and emotion management (EDTP)
Jill Ehrenreich, a psychologist at the University of Miami and director of the Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment Program, has developed and successfully tested a novel cross-sectional program to treat emotional problems in children: Cross-sectional treatment based on education and management of emotions (EDTP).
It is based on the fact that the line that separates the different disorders that children can suffer from is very thin. In fact, as with adults, anxiety and depression are very common comorbid disorders.
The main objective of the intervention is to identify the weaknesses of each patient, as well as to draw up a plan so that these do not represent an insurmountable obstacle when solving problems. The novel treatment program is based primarily on cognitive techniques, although it also includes effective behavioral strategies. Its pillars are
- Education about emotions. Learn to identify them and recognize the role they play.
- How to handle emotions. Teach them the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Explain that intervention in one of the three planes has effects on the others.
- Problem solving skills. They are instructed in the D’Zurilla and Goldfried problem-solving technique but applied to young children
- Strategies for evaluating situations. Know how to identify when a situation is aversive, neutral or positive.
- Parent training. Sometimes childhood problems are maintained by parental attitudes, especially by negative reinforcement. Therefore, the leading role given to parents is essential to control this variable.
- Activation of behavior. It is a classic strategy used in the treatment of depression. The goal is to increase the positive reinforcements of the person in their environment.
Study development
One of the most surprising findings was the improvement in depression comorbid with anxiety. It is common for depression, coupled with any other psychological disorder, to slow down or make treatment difficult. This is a serious problem since most current therapies are not designed to treat various emotional problems together.
The researchers’ hypothesis, based on the results of Peter Norton, stated that if the main disorder was approached from a broader perspective, including specific strategies for depression, the latter would also improve. The key, as Norton points out, would be to find the core underlying all the issues and move away from the “artificial distinctions.”
