Game-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Child Sexual Abuse: An Innovative Treatment Approach

Craig Springer , PhD, is a recognized expert in the field of evidence-based practices for childhood behavioural disorders and trauma. He is Supervising Psychologist, Metropolitan Regional Child Abuse Diagnostic and Treatment Center, and a member of the medical staff at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. In collaboration with Dr. Misurell, he co-founded Psychology Innovations, LLC, formed to develop, disseminate, and promote the use of creative and effective therapeutic interventions. Dr. Springer co-developed Game-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GB-CBT), an innovative model for treating childhood difficulties that has garnered local and national attention. He has received numerous awards and scholarships including the Doctoral Dissertation Award, New Jersey Psychological Association; Honored Member Award; Strathmore's Who's Who in America , and Fairleigh Dickinson University's Doctoral Fellowship. He has been credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, is a Clinical Member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA), and has served on the board of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC). Dr. Springer is also an Ad Hoc Reviewer for the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse . He has given numerous presentations and workshops at regional and national conferences on the topic and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and chapters on child abuse and maltreatment, anxiety disorders, and childhood ADHD. Justin R. Misurell , PhD, is a recognized expert on the evaluation and treatment of child sexual abuse and trauma. He is Staff Psychologist and Researcher, Metropolitan Regional Child Abuse Diagnostic and Treatment Center, and a member of the medical staff at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Dr. Misurell, in collaboration with Dr. Springer, co-founded Psychology Innovations, LLC, which provides training and education on the use of creative evidence-based practices. He co-developed Game-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (GB-CBT), an integrative and trans-diagnostic approach for addressing childhood difficulties. Dr. Misurell has conducted research examining clinical effectiveness of GB-CBT through both individual and group modalities, has served on multiple dissertation committees and has trained and supervised several doctoral and master's level clinicians. His work has demonstrated how GB-CBT can be modified and successfully applied in various settings and with different populations. Dr. Misurell has given numerous presentations and has published multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters on the game-based approach. He received an Early Career Scholarship from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. He is a licensed psychologist in New York and New Jersey, USA, and is credentialed by the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.