Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Youth: Effectiveness in a Community Setting

National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative: Community Treatment and Service Centers

This effectiveness study is being conducted to determine whether Trauma-Focused Cognitive Therapy (TF-CBT), a treatment model developed in specialty clinics by experts in the treatment of child sexual abuse, can be effectively transported to a state-contracted community mental health agency in the state of Delaware and used effectively by clinicians with little prior TF-CBT experience. The sample is comprised of youths receiving public mental health services and with diverse trauma histories.

This investigation aims to examine the effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in treating child traumatic stress when implemented in community settings on a state-wide level in Delaware. Youth (ages 7-16 years) with a history of documented trauma (sexual or physical abuse, traumatic loss, domestic or community violence) and symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) receive approximately 10 sessions of TF-CBT delivered in a state-contracted mental health agency. Children and adolescents are recruited from a public mental health population. PTSD symptoms and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems have been assessed in the first 72 participants at pre-treatment and then at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months after intake; subsequent participants (n=38) are only being assessed for symptoms and problems at pre-treatment and then at 3-, 6-months after intake.

Inclusion Criteria:

• child is 7-17 years old
• positive screen for PTSD
• child qualifies for public insurance
• parent willing to co-participate in treatment
• English-speaking (child and parent)

Exclusion Criteria:

• intellectual disability (child)
• untreated psychosis (child)
• untreated substance abuse (child)
• sibling already in study
• unable to participate in year-long follow-up (e.g., moving out of state)