Assessing the implementation and effects of a trauma-focused intervention for youths in residential treatment.

This paper describes methods being used to implement and assess the effects of a trauma-focused intervention in residential treatment programs for youths with emotional and behavioral problems, and histories of maltreatment and exposure to family or community violence. Preliminary baseline profiles of the therapeutic environments and youths are also presented. The intervention, referred to as the Sanctuary Model (Bloom, 1997), is based in social psychiatry, trauma theories, therapeutic community philosophy, and cognitive-behavioral approaches.