Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychological Trauma
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to make trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) more suitable and effective for use in schools, where many young people receive mental health care. The goal is to adapt TF-CBT to better fit the school environment while maintaining its core therapeutic benefits. The trial includes two groups: one will receive standard TF-CBT training, and the other will receive a school-adapted version, known as School-Adapted TF-CBT (S-TF). The trial seeks students aged 7-19 who have experienced trauma, such as exposure to violence, and show significant stress symptoms, as well as providers who deliver mental health services at schools. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of effective mental health treatments in school settings.
What prior data suggests that this method is safe for use in schools?
Research shows that Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is generally safe and well-tolerated for children and teens who have experienced trauma. Studies have found that TF-CBT can greatly reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression in these young people. For example, one study found that children who received TF-CBT had a significant drop in post-traumatic stress symptoms compared to those who did not receive this therapy.
Additionally, evidence suggests that TF-CBT is not only effective but also safe, with no major negative effects reported in the studies reviewed. While therapy might involve some discomfort, such as discussing difficult feelings or memories, these experiences are usually manageable and part of the healing process.
The School-Adapted TF-CBT (S-TF) being tested aims to make this therapy easier to use in schools. Although specific safety data for S-TF isn't available yet, the strong safety record of TF-CBT suggests it is likely to be safe in similar settings.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the School-Adapted Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (S-TF) because it tailors the traditional TF-CBT approach to fit a school setting, making it more accessible to children and adolescents facing psychological trauma. Unlike standard TF-CBT, which typically requires clinic visits, S-TF can be integrated into a student's daily routine, potentially increasing participation and effectiveness. This adaptation aims to provide consistent support in a familiar environment, which may enhance engagement and outcomes in young individuals who might otherwise not receive timely help.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for youth trauma?
Research has shown that Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), which participants in this trial may receive, effectively reduces posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children. Studies have found that children undergoing TF-CBT experience significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and daily functioning. For example, one study found an 81.9% reduction in trauma symptoms in children who received TF-CBT. Another study demonstrated that TF-CBT reduced PTSD symptoms more effectively than waiting for treatment. This trial will also evaluate the effectiveness of School-Adapted TF-CBT (S-TF), designed for implementation in a school setting, potentially offering a valuable approach to help children manage trauma in educational environments.12467
Who Is on the Research Team?
Aaron Lyon, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Washington
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Training and Initial Implementation
Participants receive training in TF-CBT or S-TF and begin initial implementation with consultation support
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for adoption, fidelity, and impact on student mental health outcomes
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- School-Adapted TF-CBT (S-TF)
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants in this arm will receive S-TF training and consultation procedures will align with those for TF-CBT to ensure comparable training/consultation dose.
Participants in this arm will receive TF-CBT gold-standard training and 6 months of follow-up consultation will be delivered by a certified trainer.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Washington
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator
Citations
A Randomized Effectiveness Study Comparing Trauma ... - PMC
Intent-to-treat analysis using mixed effects models showed that youth receiving TF-CBT reported significantly lower levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms (est ...
A Randomized Effectiveness Study Comparing Trauma
A review examining the evidence on psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events concluded that trauma- ...
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children ...
The included RCTs showed that TF-CBT had a positive effect on posttraumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, strengths, functional impairment, and also potentially ...
Effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy ...
[2] Hébert and Amédée (2020) reported that TF-CBT leads to improved dissociative symptoms in children with CPTSD who experienced sexual abuse.
Effectiveness of abbreviated trauma-focused cognitive ...
The findings provide preliminary evidence of the efficacy of an abbreviated eight-session version of TF-CBT for reducing PTSD and depression symptoms.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 13 Urban ...
In this pilot study, 31 clinicians in 13 urban public schools received TF-CBT training to improve access to a high-quality trauma treatment for youth in need.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a psychosocial treatment model designed to treat posttraumatic stress and related emotional and ...
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