In this workshop, we will describe the impact of the adoption of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy/ Practice (DDP) in the intensive services for children program at the Garry Hurvitz Centre for Community Mental Health at SickKids (GH-CCMH). Many of the youth served in the program experienced developmental trauma and related behavioral challenges, which often resulted in the use of physical containment. The DDP model was introduced in combination with staff training in therapeutic crisis intervention (TCI) to better address the children’s behavioral challenges and minimize the use of physical restraint to manage these challenges. DDP aims to help children heal from past trauma and to foster secure attachments between children and their caregivers through therapeutic interactions based on PACE (playful, accepting, curious, and empathic) principles. We will discuss the reduction in the use of physical restraints and benefits experienced by staff from the introduction of DDP.

Learning Objectives

1. Introduction to Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.
2. Impact of the model on child outcomes and staff experience.
3. Staff perspectives on the benefits and mechanisms of action of DDP.