Medical Services

Patients of the CPU can also avail of regular medical check-ups performed at CPU. This service ensures that the physical well being of the patients is being monitored. This includes routine vaccination for children or adolescents who have missed the necessary immunizations, including reproductive health counseling for sexually active adolescents. Missed appointments or recurrent injuries or illness may serve as red flags for continuing abuse or neglect.

Patients are screened for STIs. For diagnosed STI cases, the CPU can provide free medication for treatment. Parents are referred to the PGH Infectious Disease Clinic for testing.

A staff developmental pediatrician performs developmental screening of CPU patients who have special needs. For children 9 years old and below, determination of the mental ages is done specifically by using the Griffith’s Mental Development Scales for Children, an internationally recognized assessment tool. Children diagnosed with developmental disabilities are referred to specific for educational and therapeutic services to address their special needs.

Child psychiatrists or child psychologists screen CPU patients for any psychopathology having arisen due to abuse. This screening also includes an interview and evaluation of the parent or caregiver in an effort to uncover any mental health concerns that also impact their capacity to care for the child.

1. Abuse-specific therapy for Children
   1. Individual Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy
   2. Psychodynamic psychotherapy
   3. Insight oriented psychotherapy
   4. Cognitive – behavioral psychotherapy
   5. Supportive psychotherapy
   6. Trauma – specific psychotherapy
   7. Problem – solving psychotherapy
   8. Play therapy for younger children
   9. Group therapy for older children and adolescents
   10. Psychoeducation
   11. Parenting education
   12. Psychotherapy depending on diagnosis including pharmacotherapy

2. Therapy for Parents

3. Family Therapy
4. Therapy for children with problematic sexual behavior

Group therapy for sexually abused children of same developmental age who, while not yet fulfilling diagnostic criteria, were considered high risk for psychopathology because of the abuse. A total of sixteen sessions were conducted. Issues discussed at these sessions included self-awareness, self-esteem, motivation, family issues, stress, and crisis.

To maintain the consistency of approach to concerns regarding problematic children’s behavior, the CPU Psychiatrist conduct training sessions on behavior modification for partner government institutions and NGOs. The training curriculum include follow-up monitoring of the trainees for compliance with behavior modification and troubleshooting.