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What is CPP?

What is

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)? 

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) is an evidenced-based model for parents/caregivers and children birth to age 5 that supports healing and growth for individuals after traumatic experiences. CPP enhances parent-child relationships, builds resilience and emotional well-being in young children, helps families process difficult or traumatic experiences, and supports cultural practices and family values.

 

It can be used for:

  • Abuse or neglect

  • Domestic violence

  • Loss of a loved one

  • Community or generational trauma

  • Exposure to caregiver mental illness or substance abuse

 

Rather than focusing on the child alone, CPP places the caregiver-child relationship at the heart of the healing process. A trained therapist works with the caregiver and child together, helping the caregiver become a source of comfort, safety and emotional support.


“The therapist takes a step back and encourages the parent to be the one who offers comfort, guidance and healing,” explains Shalea Schloss, MSW, LCSW (SD), LMSW (IA), a Catholic Charities therapist trained in CPP. 


This relational approach not only promotes healing from trauma but also strengthens attachment, emotional regulation, and communication between the child and caregiver. 

Mother and Daughter Hugging
Quality Time

How CPP Helps:

CPP has been shown to improve a child’s:

  • Sense of safety and trust

  • Behavior and self-regulation

  • Ability to form healthy relationships

  • Developmental and emotional well-being


Caregivers also benefit from CPP by:

  • Learning to understand their child’s emotional and behavioral responses

  • Processing their own trauma or stress

  • Gaining confidence in their parenting

  • Reconnecting emotionally with their child

Catholic Charities offers CPP therapy with a trained professional therapist in Sioux City, Shalea Schloss, MSW, LCSW (SD), LMSW (IA). CPP can help you experience deep healing, reduced symptoms
and increased self-awareness.
Map of Catholic Charities Locations
Catholic Charities serves people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds. We turn no one needing mental health care away for the inability to pay.

  • Our services are safe, private and confidential

  • We offer in-person and telehealth therapy

  • Sliding-fee scale ensures there is no cost barrier

  • Spanish-speaking therapists

  • Free mental health assessments for any school-age child who is struggling

  • Therapists use evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT and EMDR and many more

  • Therapy clients with more complex needs have access to Psychiatrist Dr. Nesrin Abu Ata, M.D.

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