Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Support of Psychological Distress in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

SFBT for AYA Cancer Survivors' Psychological Distress: Evaluating Solution-Focused Brief Therapy as a Strength-Based Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Psychological Distress in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer

This clinical trial evaluates the how well a virtually delivered solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT-C) works to decrease adolescent and young adult cancer survivors' psychological distress in comparison to enhanced treatment-as-usual care. Cancer and its treatment can have immediate and long-term impacts on adolescent and young adult cancer survivor's lives, including education and employment, financial stability, sexual health, and social, romantic, and family relationships. Consequently, many adolescent and young adult cancer survivors report psychological distress, often manifesting as depression and anxiety, and may benefit from psychotherapy to improve their engagement with medical treatment and overall quality of life. SFBT-C is a theory-driven and brief hope-based psychotherapy designed for the unique psychosocial needs facing adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Undergoing SFBT-C may work better than treatment-as-usual care for the support of psychological distress in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

07JUL2026- Amendment approved updating the study PI to Dr. Sunnye Mayes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 15 - 39 years old
• Diagnosed with cancer
• Receiving active cancer care (6 weeks post initial diagnosis to control for emotional responses to normative stressors) or within 5 years of post-treatment survivorship
• Experiencing psychological distress (i.e., a t-score >= 57 on the Brief Symptom Inventory - 18 items [BSI-18])
• Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• End-of-life care
• > 5 years into the post-treatment survivorship
• Major physical challenges (e.g., hearing loss, developmental delay)
• Acute mental health conditions (e.g., active psychosis, suicide risk)
• Receiving or newly initiated psychotherapy for psychological distress during the study period