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What is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)?
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Does TF-CBT work? Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral therapy is the
TF-CBT is a conjoint child and parent psychotherapy
most well-supported and effective treatment for
approach for children and adolescents who are
children who have been abused and traumatized.
experiencing significant emotional and behavioral
Multiple clinical research studies consistently have
difficulties related to traumatic life events.
found it to help children with PTSD and other trauma-
It is a components-based treatment model that
related problems, and it has been rated a Model
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incorporates trauma-sensitive interventions with
Program and Best Practice for use with abused and
cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic
traumatized children. TF-CBT currently is being used
What is an Evidence Supported Treatment?
principles and techniques.
successfully in community service agencies across
Children and parents learn new skills to help process
the country.
thoughts and feelings related to traumatic life events;
TF-CBT has proven to be effective in addressing
manage and resolve distressing thoughts, feelings,
posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety,
and behaviors related traumatic life events; and
externalizing behaviors, sexualized behaviors,
What is TF-CBT?
enhance safety, growth, parenting skills, and family
feelings of shame, and mistrust. The parental
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communication.
component increases the positive effects for children
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What is Evidence-Based Treatment Planning?
by reducing parents' own levels of depression and
Who is TF-CBT for?
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emotional distress about their children's abuse and improving parenting practices and support of their
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TF-CBT has proved successful with children and
child.
adolescents (ages 3 to 18) who have significant
TF-CBT was rated a "1-Well-supported, efficacious
emotional problems (e.g., symptoms of
treatment", the highest level of empirical support in
posttraumatic stress disorder, fear, anxiety, or
the U.S. Department of Justice sponsored report
depression) related to traumatic life events.
Child Physical and Sexual Abuse: Guidelines for
This treatment can be used with children and
Treatment. Similarly,
adolescents who have experienced a single trauma
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for
or multiple traumas in their life.
Child Welfare rated TF-CBT a "1-Well-supported,
Children or adolescents experiencing traumatic grief
effective practice" its highest score for Scientific
can also benefit from this treatment.
Rating and its highest score for Relevance to Child
TF-CBT can be used with children and adolescents
Welfare Rating.
residing in many types of settings, including parental
TF-CBT was selected as a "Best Practice" for cases
homes, foster care, kinship care, group homes, or
of child abuse in the Kaufman Best Practices Task
residential programs.
Force Final Report sponsored by the National Child
How long does TF-CBT typically last? TF-CBT is designed to be a relatively short-term treatment, typically lasting 12 to 16 sessions. Over 80 percent of traumatized children who receive TFCBT experience significant improvement after 12 to 16 weeks of treatment. Treatment may be provided for longer periods depending upon individual child and family needs. TF-CBT can be used as part of a larger treatment plan for children with complex difficulties.
Is TF-CBT flexible and can it be adapted for diverse and special populations? TF-CBT is best delivered by creative, resourceful therapists who have developed close therapeutic alliances with their clients. This treatment is designed to be provided in a flexible and developmentally appropriate manner to address the unique needs of each child and family. It has been evaluated with Caucasian and African American children, and it has been adapted for Latino and hearing-impaired/deaf populations. It is currently being adapted for Native American children and for children in many other countries (e.g., Zambia, Uganda, South Africa, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Cambodia).
Traumatic Stress Network.
Who can deliver TF-CBT? This treatment can be used by a variety of mental health professionals including clinical social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, or clinical counselors.
Treatment Manual Cohen, J.A., Mannarino, A.P., & Deblinger, E. (2006). Treating Trauma and Traumatic Grief in Children and Adolescents. New York: The Guilford Press.
Where can I get more information about TF-CBT and child trauma? Description of TF-CBT and ratings of its level of empirical research support and relevance to child welfare populations by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. TF-CBT Fact Sheet from the NCTSN: Brief description of TF-CBT developed by the NCTSN. Review of TF-CBT from the Child Welfare Information Gateway: Description of TF-CBT and its use with sexually abused children. NREPP description of TF-CBT The Center for Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents CARES Institute Online Training Resources Brochure
What is TF-CBTWeb? TF-CBTWeb is a web-based course for learning TraumaFocused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. It covers all of the procedures of TF-CBT, and includes streaming video demonstrations and many other learning resources. TFCBTweb is designed to allow you to learn at your own pace, and use the learning experiences when it is convenient for you. Once you have completed TF-CBTWeb, you can return as often as you like to "brush up" on techniques, watch demonstrations, or download the resources.