“Now mum understands the same as the therapist”. Children’s experiences of Stepping Together for Children after Trauma, a parent-led, therapist-assisted trauma treatment

Stepping Together for Children after Trauma (ST-CT) is a parent-led trauma treatment where the task of leading the treatment has been partially shifted to the parent. ST-CT has previously been reported as well accepted by caregivers and therapists, but less is known about the users’ perspective, hereunder the children’s experiences of the treatment. The current qualitative study explores children’s views on ST-CT, with particular focus on their experiences of working closely with their parent throughout the treatment process. Twenty-five children (mean age 9.4, range 7–12) were interviewed using semistructured interviews, and we applied thematic analysis to identify patterns in their experiences. In the interviews, children reported reductions in trauma symptoms, increased daily functioning, and improved relationships with their caregivers. We identified three themes reflecting the children’s perceptions of the change processes: doing something about it, talking about it, and feeling understood. Furthermore, we generated an overarching theme; the parent–child relationship both as a context for change and a result of change. The improvements in symptoms and relationships are understood as related to the treatment components in ST-CT, where an increased understanding between the parent and the child, as reported by the children, developed through the treatment process.