Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Effective Trauma Therapy for Youth and Caregivers

Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a trauma-focused intervention for youth (ages 3 to 18) who are experiencing symptoms directly related to a traumatic event or events and their non-offending caregiver. It targets post-traumatic stress, depressive and behavioral symptoms.

The average length of treatment is 8 to 25 weekly, 60- to 90-minute sessions. Maximum benefits are seen when the youth’s primary caregiver is actively involved in treatment. TF-CBT has been successfully delivered in diverse settings, such as clinics, in-home, residential treatment facilities, schools and juvenile detention facilities.

The average length of treatment is eight to 25 weekly, 60- to 90-minute sessions. Maximum benefits are seen when the youth’s primary caregiver is actively involved in treatment. TF-CBT has been successfully delivered in diverse settings, such as clinics, in-home, residential treatment facilities, schools and juvenile detention facilities.

TF-CBT Outcomes

Decreased post-traumatic stress symptoms continuing 2 years post treatment
Decreased trauma-related parental distress continuing for 1 year post treatment
Decreased depressive symptoms continuing 2 years post treatment

Decreased sexual behavior problems
Decreased dissociation continuing 1 year post treatment
Decreased externalizing behaviors
Improved parenting skills

Criteria for TF-CBT Training Eligibility

Training for TF-CBT is a good fit for clinicians who have at least one year of post-Master’s clinical experience at the agency and a cognitive-behavioral and family systems orientation. Interested clinicians should also be comfortable with a directive approach in clinical treatment and have good family engagement skills (e.g., low no-show rates, positive feedback from families).

In addition, candidates should be able to accept constructive feedback well and be motivated to learn and grow skills to implement evidence-based practices. They should demonstrate timely and clear documentation, along with good time management skills.

Clinicians training in TF-CBT need to be creative and energetic. They should also experience compassion satisfaction from treating families with trauma histories.

Training Requirements

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Learning Collaboratives train teams from community based mental health agencies. Our model relies on clinicians training together with an administrative leader from their agency to ensure successful implementation and sustainability.

TF-CBT Learning Collaboratives include three in-person training days (or six virtual half-days) with bi-weekly clinical consultation calls between training dates. In order to graduate, clinicians must complete a full course of TF-CBT with at least two clients, one of which must be a sexual trauma case.

Team Requirements

Senior Leaders (at least one per team) must have administrative responsibility within their organization and/or within the local mental health community. Equally, they must have the authority to make systematic changes (e.g., policies, procedures, budgeting) to support the implementation of TF-CBT within their organization and/or across the community.

Clinicians must provide psychotherapy to at least five children per week. They must serve the North Carolina Medicaid population or have the ability to offer services free of charge. In addition, they need to be a licensed clinician in North Carolina, including clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychological associates, psychologists, child psychiatrists, nurse specialists or practitioners. Provisionally licensed applicants will be considered.

Who Should Apply?

Applicants are encouraged to apply as part of a team, which can bolster clinical implementation and model sustainability efforts both during and after the training period.

When reviewing applications, preference will be given to committed teams with a highly supportive Senior Leader.

Individual practitioners are also welcome to apply and may be paired with other individual practitioners for support/peer supervision during the Learning Collaborative.

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Is TF-CBT Right for Your Agency?

TF-CBT is a good fit for agencies with leadership and staff who strive to be trauma-informed in the services provided and are committed to evidence-based and evidence-informed treatment. If the agency has a referral base with a large number of youth (ages 3 to 18) who are experiencing symptoms directly related to a traumatic event.

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