Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress
SPARCS was initially designed as a group intervention and can sometimes be modified for use with individuals as well. It was designed to address the needs of chronically traumatized adolescents who may still be living with ongoing stress and are experiencing problems in several areas of functioning. These areas include difficulties with affect regulation and impulsivity, self-perception, relationships, somatization, dissociation, numbing and avoidance, and struggles with their own purpose and meaning in life as well as world views that make it difficult for them to see a future for themselves.Overall goals of the intervention are to help teens cope more effectively in the moment, enhance self-efficacy, connect with others and establish supportive relationships, cultivate awareness, and create meaning.
SPARCS is predominantly a cognitive-behavioral intervention.
Read the National Child Traumatic Stress Network's factsheet to find out more about Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress.