Hugsy 

The Hugsy intervention is a brief, single-session, evidence-informed therapeutic approach developed to help children process emotional pain and trauma through a specially designed therapeutic stuffed dog. Grounded in principles of projection, role reversal, and somatic grounding, Hugsy enables children to externalize distress and shift from a position of helplessness to active caregiving. The approach has been implemented with thousands of children internationally and has demonstrated clinically observed reductions in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Center for Violence Prevention and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS) are proud to share Hugsy with children and families across the Greater Philadelphia region, with generous support from the Weiner Family Foundation. 

The Hugsy intervention was initially developed in 2008 by Dr. Shai Hen-Gal & Prof. Avi Sadeh. More information can be found at hibuki-therapy.com. 

sad dog with arms crossed in front of blue background
 

Resources