Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

CALI F O R N I A I N ST I T UT E F O R M EN TAL H E ALT H
Trauma Focused
Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (TF-CBT)
An evidence based therapy
featuring trauma-sensitive
interventions with
cognitive behavioral principles
and techniques
Trauma Focused Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is a therapy model developed by Drs. Judy
Cohen, Tony Mannarino and Esther Deblinger. It is used
for children ages 3-18 who have experienced one or
more significant traumatic life events, resulting in PTSD
symptoms or functional impairments. It is a short-term
therapy that involves individual sessions with the child
and parent/caregiver respectively, as well as joint
parent-child sessions. A course of therapy typically
CA LI FORN IA IN STIT UTE
F OR ME NTA L HE AL TH
2125 19th Street
2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA
95818
Phone: 916-556-3480
Fax: 916-556-3483
E-mail: nadams@cimh.org
consists of 12 – 20 weekly sessions, with each session
lasting from 60 to 90 minutes.
CALI F O R N I A I N ST I T UT E F O R M EN TAL H E ALT H
Essential Components of TF-CBT1
 Establishing and maintaining therapeutic






relationship with child and parent
Psycho-education about childhood trauma and
PTSD
Emotional regulation skills
Individualized stress management skills
Connecting thoughts, feelings and behaviors
related to the trauma
Assisting the child in sharing a verbal, written, or
artistic narrative about the trauma(s) and related
experiences
Encouraging gradual in vivo exposure to trauma
reminders, if appropriate
 Cognitive and affective processing of the trauma





1
experiences
Education about healthy interpersonal
relationships
Parental treatment components including
parenting skills
Joint parent-child sessions to practice skills and
enhance trauma-related discussions
Personal safety skills training
Coping with future trauma reminders
The “Essential Components” are taken from the National
Child Traumatic Stress Network at www.NCTSNET.ORG
CiMH TF CBT Training Protocol
The following TF-CBT training protocol is used for CiMH supported TF-CBT implementation
projects, and is designed to help agencies establish and sustain model adherent TF-CBT
programs.
Establishing a Program
Complete the TF CBT Online Training Course at http://tfcbt.musc.edu/
Attend an Initial TF-CBT Training (2 days for clinicians and an extra ½ day for TF-CBT
supervisors).
Participate, as part of a TF-CBT team, in 16 Consultation Calls, 12 of which must be completed
by the team (including the supervisors). Each team not to exceed 10 therapists including a TFCBT supervisor.
Attend a Booster Trainings (1 day for clinicians and an extra ½ day for TF-CBT supervisors).
The booster training to occur about 6 months after the initial training
Complete and submit up to 2 audio taped sessions for review, per the audio tape protocol. A
minimum of 1 audio tape must be rated as “satisfactory” on all domains.
For more information, please contact Neal Adams, nadams@cimh.org
2125 19th Street, 2nd Floor • Sacramento, California 95818 Telephone: 916.556.3480 Facsimile: 916.556-3483 www.cimh.org