Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers.

TF-CBT has been evaluated and refined during the past 25 years to help children and adolescents recover after experiencing a traumatic event or multiple events. All of these studies have documented that TF-CBT was superior for improving children’s trauma symptoms and responses including a broad array of emotional and behavioral difficulties associated with single, multiple and complex trauma experiences.

TF-CBT is a structured, short-term treatment model that can effectively improve a range of trauma-related outcomes in 8-25 sessions with the child/adolescent and caregiver. At times, additional sessions are needed depending on the circumstances surrounding the child, family, and everyday stressors outside of the trauma.

Although TF-CBT is highly effective at improving youth posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and diagnosis, a PTSD diagnosis is not required in order to receive this treatment.

TF-CBT also effectively addresses many other trauma impacts, including affective (e.g., depressive, anxiety), cognitive and behavioral problems, as well as improving the participating parent’s or caregiver’s personal distress about the child’s traumatic experience, effective parenting skills, and supportive interactions with the child.