This program is for youth who are 3 to 17 years old, have a trauma history, and are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their parents or caregivers.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT®), a community-based program, is designed to treat youth who have experienced traumatic events, such as sexual abuse, household violence, or the death of a parent. Children and parents/caregivers learn skills to help them process thoughts and feelings related to the trauma.

Several internal and external randomized controlled trials of TF-CBT demonstrate sustained positive results lasting 1 year or longer after the completion of treatment for children and youth who have full PTSD or sub-clinical PTSD as a result of exposure to a range of traumatic experiences. Results demonstrate reductions in the core set of PTSD symptoms (i.e., hyperarousal or hypervigilance, avoidance or numbing, and re-experiencing) and associated symptoms of depression, anxiety, externalizing and internalizing symptoms, quality of life, and shame. Further, TF-CBT shows significant positive results in increasing parental supportive behaviors and decreasing parental distress related to a child's trauma.

TF-CBT intends to help participants cope with the after effects of extreme trauma through the use of therapies, such as stress management and behavioral management. The following are components of the TF-CBT program:

• Psychoeducation - Learn about the impact of trauma on children and family members, the nature of PTSD, and where to apply for victim's assistance;
• Parenting skills - Strengthen parenting skills and learn how to address behavioral difficulties;
• Relaxation skills - Explore methods of self-soothing, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, blowing bubbles, yoga, or listening to music;
• Affective modulation skills - Expand range of affective expression;
• Cognitive processing skills - Recognize connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors;
• Trauma narration and cognitive processing of trauma - Describe the trauma experience by writing a book, poem, or song or through another creative technique and learn to change thoughts about the experience to be more accurate and helpful;
• In vivo mastery of trauma reminders - Participate in graduated exposure to overcome generalized avoidance of innocuous cues;
• Conjoint child-parent sessions - Share trauma experience with parent and strengthen child-parent communication; and
• Enhancing personal safety and future developmental trajectory - Learn skills, such as healthy sexuality, domestic violence safety plan development, bullying safety skills, and drug refusal skills.

Separate sessions are held initially for youth and for the parent or guardian. Joint sessions are included as therapy continues.

TF-CBT was developed in the 1980s and has been implemented nationally and internationally with children of diverse backgrounds who have experienced multiple types of trauma. TF-CBT has also been used with military families who are affiliated with all Service branches.

Licensed therapists with a master’s or doctoral degree facilitate the program. Certification is required and is good for 5 years. Total cost for certification is $250 per person, and re-certification costs $100. Training consists of an 11-hour, web-based introductory course; 2-3 days of basic training from an approved national TF-CBT trainer; follow-up phone consultation (twice per month for 6-12 months); completion of three TF-CBT treatment cases; use of at least one standardized instrument to assess progress in each treatment case; and completion of and passing the TF-CBT Therapist Certification Program Knowledge-Based Test with a score of 80% or higher. Documentation is required for several of these steps. Please visit https://tfcbt.org/certification/ or use details in the Contact section to learn more.

Considerations for implementing this program include hiring licensed therapists who live in the United States or Canada, ensuring therapists complete the certification process, acquiring participant buy-in, and locating suitable space to hold sessions.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing TF-CBT, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Therapy is provided in 8- to 25-weekly sessions.

Information on implementation costs was not located. Please use details in the Contact section to learn more.

The Clearinghouse can help you to develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact TF-CBT National Therapist Certification Program by visiting https://tfcbt.org/contact/

https://tfcbt.org/ and https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/trauma-focused-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/