Children's Friendship Training

First published in 2003. Children's Friendship Training is a complete manualized guide for therapists treating children with peer problems. This unique, empirically validated treatment is the first to integrate parents into the therapy process to ensure generalization to school and home. Representing over twelve years of research, Children's Friendship Training presents the comprehensive social skills training program developed by these pioneering authors. Step-by-step interventions help children develop the skills to initiate mutually satisfying social interactions. These interactions can lead to higher regard within the peer group and the development of satisfying dyadic relationships that will, in turn, serve to enhance overall well being. Clinical and empirical rationales, illustrative case examples and parent handouts that educate parents and give specific guidelines for homework assignments are presented for each treatment module. Brief relevant reviews of the child development literature and selective reviews of assessment techniques and other approached to children's social skills training are presented to sufficiently acquaint therapists interested in implementing children's friendship training.

Fred Frankel is Professor of Medical Psychology, UCLA Department of Psychiatry. He developed the UCLA Children's Friendship Training Program with Robert Myatt, offering treatment to over 900 children with friendship problems since 1989. He has published several controlled studies and was awarded an NIMH research grant to study Children's Friendship Training.

Forward Preface Purpose and organization of this manual oA self-contained guide for the clinician oTraining socially valid behaviors oMaintaining treatment integrity oOrganization of this manual oRelated resources Section I. BackgroundChapter 1. Reasons to Treat Peer Relationship Problems Chapter 2. Assessment of Outcomes Chapter 3. Types of Children's Social Skills Treatment Chapter 4. Common Diagnoses of Children Obtaining Training Chapter 5. Research on the UCLA Children's Friendship Program Section II.Preparing for Treatment Chapter 6. Screening Chapter 7. Intake Chapter 8. Program Infrastructure Section III. Session ContentChapter 9. Introductory Session/Setting the Stage Chapter 10. Conversational Skills Chapter 11. "Slipping In"/Reputation/Using Community Resources Chapter 12. Taking "No" for an Answer/Gender and Age Issues Chapter 13. Rules of a Good Sport/Social Goals Chapter 14. Rules of a Good Sport/Positive Statements Chapter 15. Making a Best Friend/Play Dates Chapter 16. Resisting Teasing Chapter 17. Respect Towards Adults Chapter 18. Managing Competition/Gender Differences Chapter 19. Avoiding Physical Fights Chapter 20. Graduation References Index