Utilization of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for Children With Cognitive Disabilities

Abstract

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) has strong evidence of its effectiveness to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in children and is commonly utilized in mental health settings. Some state licensing and oversight authorities have mandated that providers use TF-CBT for children under their care and for whom they provide funding for treatment services. These mandates are often made without regard to diagnosis or developmental status that might predict TF-CBT efficacy. Therefore, this study sought to determine if manualized TF-CBT was as effective as more traditional Applied Behavior Analysis approaches with individualized Intensive Behavioral Interventions for youth with developmental conditions in a residential treatment facility.

KEYWORDS:

• residential care
• evidence-based practices
• child welfare

Notes

*Bonferroni Adjustment—family-wise error rate p < .00625.

**Difference is shown as control change minus treatment change (two-tailed t-test).

***Statistical significance at p < .000.