Objective: There has thus far been insufficient discussion of the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in schoolchildren experiencing ongoing missile attacks or prolonged political conflict. The aims of the present study were to investigate the ability of SEE FAR CBT Therapy for Children (SEE FAR CBT-C), an individual intervention protocol for children, in reducing PTSD symptoms and increase resiliency and general self-efficacy during ongoing criseses. Method: Children (n = 25, ages 8-13) with significant clinical PTSD receiving individual SEE FAR CBT treatment, were compared to age-matched controls (n = 20) who participated in school-based intervention. Results: Compared to the school-based intervention, SEE FAR CBT was significantly more effective at reducing PTSD severity post-treatment as well as at the follow-up assessment (ηp2 = 0.15), including lowering intrusion, avoidance and arousal symptoms, and somatic complaints. In addition, SEE FAR CBT enhance ego-resiliency over time, while general self-efficacy significantly increased among both groups. Conclusions: Under repeated exposure to political conflict, both group and individual intervention may be helpful in alleviating posttraumatic symptoms and somatic complaints among school children, however, SEE FAR CBT-C produces a stronger therapeutic effect on PTSD and ego-resiliency phenomena. Findings are discussed in light of existing literature. Practical implications for therapists working with children and adolescents under prolonged security threat conditions are presented.

The aim of the present study is to describe the accumulated knowledge and experience of experts working, treating and living under ongoing threat setting, an understudied research topic. Using focus group approach, psychologists, clinical social workers and art therapists, staff members of the Sha'ar HaNegev Psychological Services Center (PSC) located in South Israel, were asked to describe their clinical experience of working with trauma affected children, adolescents and adults. Effective use of techniques and protocols along phases of treatment, indication of less effective techniques, newly developed techniques and clients' experience are reported and discussed.

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