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A CLINICIAN'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE TRAUMA ASSESSMENT PATHWAY (TAP) MODEL: A CASE STUDY

Presenters: Lisa Conradi, Andrea Hazen

Abstract Category: Research       

Instruction Level: Intermediate

Presentation: Click Here

Description:      

A case study on one therapist’s use of the TAP Model to better assess, treat and monitor clinical changes over time. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the results of a qualitative study of clinician perspectives on the use of the Trauma Assessment Pathway model, which provides a standardized approach to the assessment, triage, and intervention processes for treating traumatized children.

 Abstract:

Conradi’s Abstract:       

The Chadwick Center developed an intervention model titled, "Assessment Based Treatment for Traumatized Children: A Trauma Assessment Pathway (TAP) Model" using SAMHSA funding between 2002-2005. TAP standardizes the assessment, triage and intervention process using clinical pathways with a goal of reducing arbitrary selection of the treatment intervention and makes our best practice our everyday practice.

During the initial assessment phase, TAP defines a multifaceted assessment process to enable clinicians to gain an in-depth understanding of the child, their developmental level, their traumatic experience, and the family, community and cultural system in which the child lives.  Within TAP, strategies are presented to help the clinician make sense of the information gathered during the assessment process.  Clients are then triaged into the most appropriate form of evidence-based treatment based upon their Unique Client Picture. 

For children whose experiences do not fit into the currently defined list of evidence-based treatments, or for clients who require additional treatment beyond what is offered in the evidence-based models, TAP includes a pathway to assist clinicians in determining the appropriate clinical strategies to use with these clients. The selected interventions have been drawn from current evidence-based practices and adapted for treating complex trauma cases (Taylor, Gilbert, Mann, & Ryan, 2005).

The TAP model includes a re-assessment component whereby standardized assessments are re-administered in 4-month intervals and interview information is updated weekly to ensure that clients’ changing needs are constantly being monitored and that progress is being tracked.  The purpose of this presentation is to describe a case study of one clinician as he/she utilizes TAP with selected cases.  This study was designed to provide additional information on the model, including ease of use of TAP, the utility of the model in helping clinicians to make appropriate treatment decisions and the benefits and challenges associated with implementation of TAP.

Hazen’s Abstract:

Settings that provide mental health services to maltreated children and their families have recently experienced a growth of interest in empirically based approaches to assessment and treatment.  Reflective of this trend, the Chadwick Center for Children and Families at Rady Children’s Hospital has been involved in the development of a model of “assessment based treatment” for over the past decade.  The Assessment Based Treatment for Traumatized Children: A Trauma Assessment Pathway (TAP) Model standardizes the assessment, triage and intervention processes for treating traumatized children using clinical pathways.  The Chadwick Center has recently undertaken efforts to disseminate the TAP model to other agencies serving traumatized children. This presentation will describe the results of a qualitative study conducted with clinicians and supervisors in these agencies.  Information will be provided on participants’ experiences being trained on and using the various components of the model in their clinical practice. Implications for development and dissemination of the model will be discussed.