Home > Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Addressing the Mental Health of Sexually Abused Children > 5. What to Look for in a Therapist

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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Addressing the Mental Health of Sexually Abused Children
Issue Brief

Author(s):  Child Welfare Information Gateway

Year Published:  2007

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You are in section: Table of Contents 1. What Makes TF-CBT Unique 2. Key Components 3. Target Population 4. Effectiveness of TF-CBT 5. What to Look for in a Therapist 6. Conclusion 7. Resources 8. References

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5. What to Look for in a Therapist

Caseworkers should become knowledgeable about commonly used treatments before recommending a treatment provider to families. Parents or caregivers should receive as much information as possible about the treatment options available to them. If TF-CBT appears to be an appropriate treatment model for a family, the caseworker should look for a provider who has received adequate training, supervision, and consultation in the TF-CBT model. If feasible, both the caseworker and the family should have an opportunity to interview potential TF-CBT therapists prior to beginning treatment.

TF-CBT Training

TF-CBT training sessions are appropriate for therapists and clinical supervisors with a master's degree or higher in a mental health discipline, experience working with children and families, and knowledge of child sexual abuse dynamics and child protection. Therapists may benefit from sequential exposure to different types of training:

• Reading the program developer's treatment book(s) and related materials
• Participating in intensive skills-based training for 1 to 2 days
• Receiving ongoing expert consultation from trainers for 6 months
• Participating in advanced TF-CBT training for 1 to 2 days

See Training and Consultation Resources for contact information.

Questions to Ask Treatment Providers

In addition to appropriate training and thorough knowledge of the TF-CBT model, it is important to select a treatment provider who is sensitive to the particular needs of the child, caregiver, and family. Caseworkers recommending a TF-CBT therapist should ask the treatment provider to explain the course of treatment, the role of each family member in treatment, and how the family's specific cultural considerations will be addressed. The child, caregiver, and family should feel comfortable with and have confidence in the therapist with whom they will work.

Some specific questions to ask regarding TF-CBT include:

• What is the nature of the therapist's TF-CBT training (when trained, by whom, length of training, access to follow-up consultation, etc.)? Are they clinically supervised by (or did they participate in a peer supervision group for private practice therapists with) others who are TF-CBT trained?
• Is there a standard assessment process used to gather baseline information on the functioning of the child and family and to monitor their progress in treatment over time?
• What techniques will the therapist use to help the child manage his or her emotions and related behaviors?
• How and when will the therapist ask the child to describe the trauma?
• Will the therapist use a combination of individual and joint child-parent sessions?
• Is the practitioner sensitive to the cultural background of the child and family?
• Is there any potential for harm associated with treatment?

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You are in section: Table of Contents 1. What Makes TF-CBT Unique 2. Key Components 3. Target Population 4. Effectiveness of TF-CBT 5. What to Look for in a Therapist 6. Conclusion 7. Resources 8. References

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This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Updated on July 29, 2008