Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Trauma-Focused Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a model of psychotherapy that combines trauma-sensitive interventions with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. TF-CBT has proven to be effective in treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, externalizing (acting-out) behaviors, sexualized behaviors,  feelings of shame and mistrust, and in enhancing social competence  in victims of sexual assault, domestic  violence, disasters, and multiple traumatic events. TF-CBT is a clinic-based, individual, short-term treatment.  Clients are provided with knowledge and skills related to processing their trauma; managing distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and enhancing safety and coping skills.

TF-CBT with  children involves individual sessions with the child and his/her parents as well as joint  parent-child sessions. The parental component of child-centered TF-CBT  increases the positive effects of treatment by addressing parents’ own levels of depression and  emotional distress about  the child’s abuse and/or trauma , improving parental support of the child, enhancing the child’s sense of safety, enhancing family communication, and addressing parenting practices  which may promote or hinder effective treatment.  In cases where parents are unable or unwilling to participate in treatment, TF-CBT can be provided to the child alone.

Studies have demonstrated that 80% of traumatized children show significant improvement in their condition with 12-16 weeks of TF-CBT (once a week; 60-90 minute sessions).  TF-CBT has been tested with Caucasian, African-American, and Latino children and has proven to be widely adaptable. It is currently being adapted for Native American children and for children in other countries.  It has also proven to be adaptable to various treatment settings (i.e., home, school, clinic, hospital, residential treatment, etc).

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