Trauma-Focused CBT

Judy Cohen, M.D. & Tony Mannarino,

Ph.D.
Allegheny General Hospital
Esther Deblinger, Ph.D.
New Jersey CARES Institute
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Theoretical Underpinnings of TF-CBT

A hybrid model incorporating CBT,

attachment, family, psychodynamic
and empowerment principles
Goals: resolve PTSD, depressive,
anxiety and other trauma-related
symptoms in children and adolescents;
optimize adaptive functioning; and
enhance safety, family communication
and future developmental trajectory

TF-CBT Or Not?
Target symptoms: PTSD, depression,
anxiety, and behavioral symptoms
secondary to trauma.
Children presenting with predominance
of behavioral problems may benefit
more from a different treatment.
TF-CBT has been used for all types of
traumas
TF-CBT has been used for children ages
3-18, with and without parental
participation, in schools, group home,
foster home and in-home settings but is
most commonly provided individually to
child and parent in clinical settings.
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Evidence That TF-CBT Works

Six randomized controlled trials have
been conducted for sexually
abused/multiply traumatized children
comparing TF-CBT to other active
treatments
In all six studies children receiving TF-CBT
experienced significantly greater
improvements in a variety of symptoms,
both at immediate post-treatment and up
to 2 years post-treatment.
PTSD symptoms consistently improved
significantly more in the TF-CBT groups.

Evidence That TF-CBT Works

CATS Project: TF-CBT used following 911 terrorist attacks in NYC
demonstrated significantly greater
improvement in PTSD among children
receiving TF-CBT than those receiving
usual treatment.
Two open studies of TF-CBT for
Childhood Traumatic Grief CTG) have
offered preliminary support of
effectiveness of adding grief-focused
module to TF-CBT for children
experiencing CTG.
Current ongoing randomized trial for
children with PTSD secondary to
domestic violence.

TF-CBT Components: PRACTICE

Psycoeducation
Parent Component includes parenting skills
Relaxation
Affect identification and regulation
Cognitive coping
Trauma narration and cognitive processing
of these experiences
In vivo desensitization to trauma
reminders
Conjoint child-parents sessions
Enhancing safety and future development

TFwww.musc.edu/tfcbt
CBTWeb
TF-CBTWeb is a
web-based,
distance education
training course for
learning TraumaFocused CognitiveBehavioral Therapy
(TF-CBT).

TFwww.musc.edu/tfcbt
CBTWeb
Web-based learning
Learn at your own pace
Learn when you want
Learn where you want
Return anytime

10 hours of CE
TF-CBTWeb is
offered free of
charge.

TFwww.musc.edu/tfcbt
CBTWeb
Each module has:
Concise explanations
Video demonstrations
Clinical scripts
Cultural considerations
Clinical Challenges

TFwww.musc.edu/tfcbt
CBT
Web
TF-CBTWeb is sponsored by:

TF-CBTWeb was developed and is maintained through grant No. 1-UD1-SM5607001 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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