Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: An Overview and a Case Example

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview and update on Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT; www.afcbt.org ) an evidence-based intervention that has been adapted for family conflict and coercion, emotional and physical abuse, and child behavior problems (version 3.0, 11-1-2011). We review some of the conceptual underpinnings of this intervention model, the purpose for the intervention, common risks for and consequences of exposure to abusive or coercive behavior, characteristics of the population, and an update on research support for the model. The chapter includes a description of the screening and assessment measures recommended for use in AF-CBT and the content of the intervention program. A recent case application with an 11-year old boy is presented to highlight the application of the protocol to these various clinical domains. The chapter concludes with a summary of some of the benefits and challenges to using AF-CBT, and some recommendations for future work.