Treating Somatic Symptoms in Children and Adolescents

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.
 

Sara E. Williams, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where she is Clinical Director of the Functional Independence Restoration (FIRST) program for inpatient pediatric chronic pain rehabilitation. She is also Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dr. Williams specializes in assessing, treating, and studying pediatric chronic pain conditions.
 
Nicole E. Zahka, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Her practice includes children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions and anxiety disorders, with a specialty in assessment and treatment of conversion and functional movement disorders, as well as syncope and autonomic dysfunction. 

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 Strategies
7. Level Two: Emotional and Behavioral Strategies
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