A question that I get asked frequently is if my work is “evidence-based.” According to the American Psychological Association (2006), evidence-based practice means “the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences.” My work at Coping Skills for Kids is done with this definition in mind.
“best available research”
I read research about coping skills and their effectiveness regularly. As new findings emerge, I want to make sure that those are included in my work at Coping Skills for Kids. In the research studies section below, you’ll find links studies focused on different coping skills, divided by Coping Style. This page gets updated as I find new research.
“clinical expertise”
The coping skills that I include throughout my books and resources have strategies that I’ve tried with clients throughout the years that have worked well. My goal is to have kids & teens find coping skills are safe and healthy. There are three important things I keep in mind when determining whether or not to include it.
- Does it hurt the client?
- Does it hurt other people or living creatures?
- Does it damage property?
If a coping skill is safe and healthy, and works, then we can consider it as a potential strategy to suggest.
“patient characteristics, culture, and preferences”
Part of evidence-based research should be to include the client’s preferences - who they are, what they enjoy, their background, and their own experiences. I’ve been working with clients for two decades now, and I hear from them all the time about different strategies that work for them. Part of the therapeutic connection we have includes me listening to them and honoring their experiences. I add those new strategies into my repertoire of coping skills regularly.
For more information, and links to the research, please visit copingskillsforkids.com/evidence-based