Healing moms, protecting kids: new therapy targets PTSD to stop maltreatment

This study tests a combined therapy for mothers with PTSD who are already receiving child welfare prevention services. The treatment blends skills to manage emotions and trauma with parent-child interaction coaching. Researchers will track changes in PTSD, depression, parenting behaviors, and new reports of abuse or foster care placements over 10 years. The goal is to see if helping mothers heal reduces the risk of child maltreatment.