Table 2.

Session Content of the Treatment Manual

Session	Content of Session
1	Introduction to the NICU Develop rapport. Provide opportunity for mother to share her observations of her baby. Educate mother about premature babies’ appearance and behaviors. Discuss things mother can do for her baby now.
2	Cognitive Restructuring Empathize with and normalize reactions of parents in the NICU setting. Help mother identify emotions and relationship between events, thoughts, and emotions. Teach mother techniques: Examining the Evidence, What would I Tell a Friend, Positive Self Thoughts. Assign an ABC-B Worksheet with Examining the Evidence
3	Progressive Muscle Relaxation Brief review of ABC-B worksheet Help the mother to accurately label her thoughts and emotions in response to events. Reinforce the idea that changing thoughts can change the intensity or type of emotions that are experienced. Help the mother to relax physically by teaching deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
4	Introduction and Education about Trauma Focused CBT Brief review of ABC-B worksheet Help the mother to accurately label her thoughts and emotions in response to events. Reinforce the idea that changing thoughts can change the intensity or type of emotions that are experienced. Help the mother to relax physically by teaching deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
5	Trauma Narrative Have the mother read her trauma narrative with affective expression. Identify the mother's stuck points for the event. Challenge self-blame and irrational thoughts.
6	Infant Redefinition Redefine infant: identify ways baby has changed Redefine parenting experience: identify new things mother can do with baby Introduce concept of, and ways to avoid, Overprotective Parenting Introduce infant states, engagement and disengagement, and associated care-giving Help mother to anticipate further changes in baby and parent-infant interactions