Bringing What Works to Youth in Corrections: A Trauma Intervention

Bringing What Works to Youth in Prison: An Evidence-Based Trauma Intervention

Youth with mental illnesses are disproportionately represented in juvenile correctional facilities and limited evidence exists about effective treatments in this setting. This study will adapt Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a treatment found to be efficacious in community settings, to the correctional setting and study the feasibility of its implementation. Conducted within Texas youth correctional facilities, the findings will be rapidly disseminated in the state. The goal is to enhance the TF-CBT approach to meet the unique needs of incarcerated youth and the correctional system, one of the priorities outlined in the National Institute of Mental Health Strategic Plan.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of one or more significant traumatic life events

• Current diagnosis of one of the following:

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Dysthymia
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Social Phobia
  • Panic Disorder

• Trauma symptom severity scores of 25 or greater.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Expected release date or transfer date within 5 months from study enrollment date
• Current inclusion in the Sex Offender Treatment Program
• Intellectual Quotient (IQ) less than 70
• Current high risk of suicidality
• Current symptoms of active psychosis