Step one within stepped care trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for young children: a pilot study

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
07:20

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Published on: August 9, 2024

Alison Salloum1, John Robst, Michael S Scheeringa

  • 1School of Social Work, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1400, Tampa, FL, 33612-3870, USA, asalloum@usf.edu.

Child Psychiatry and Human Development
|April 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This pilot study found Step One within Stepped Care Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (SC-TF-CBT) to be effective and acceptable for young children with trauma. Treatment gains were maintained at follow-up, showing promise for this therapeutic approach.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Child Mental Health

Background:

  • Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is effective for children.
  • Stepped care models may enhance treatment accessibility and efficiency.
  • Young children (3-6 years) with trauma require tailored interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the preliminary efficacy of Step One within SC-TF-CBT for young children.
  • To assess parent acceptability and satisfaction with the Step One intervention.
  • To evaluate the economic cost-effectiveness of this stepped care approach.

Main Methods:

  • Pilot study involving 9 young children (3-6 years) and their parents.
  • Delivery of Step One within Stepped Care Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (SC-TF-CBT).
  • Assessment of treatment response, relapse, and maintenance of gains at 3-month follow-up.

Main Results:

  • 83% (5/6) of completers and 55.6% (5/9) of the intent-to-treat sample responded to Step One.
  • Treatment gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up.
  • Parents reported high acceptability and satisfaction with the Step One treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Step One within SC-TF-CBT shows preliminary efficacy and acceptability for young children with trauma.
  • The approach demonstrates potential for sustained treatment gains.
  • Further research is needed to confirm cost-effectiveness compared to traditional therapies.

More Related Videos

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment08:25

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Cognitive Therapy01:25

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused01:27

Coping Strategies: Problem Focused

Coping strategies are methods people use to manage, tolerate, or reduce the effects of stressors. These strategies involve both behavioral and psychological actions to handle stressful situations. One common approach is problem-focused coping, which aims to change or eliminate the source of stress rather than merely addressing its consequences. This method involves taking direct action to resolve the issue causing stress.
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
Operant Conditioning Intervention01:24

Operant Conditioning Intervention

Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Behavior Therapy01:22

Behavior Therapy

Behavior therapy incorporates diverse techniques rooted in classical conditioning principles to address maladaptive behaviors and anxiety disorders. These methods aim to reduce avoidance behaviors, foster adaptive coping mechanisms, and alter associations between stimuli and responses, making them effective in a wide range of therapeutic contexts.
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Beck's Cognitive Therapy01:25

Beck's Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy is a psychological approach designed to address distortions in thinking, which can lead to negative emotions and unrealistic beliefs. These cognitive distortions often influence how individuals interpret and respond to situations, exacerbating emotional distress. Below are some prevalent cognitive distortions, their characteristics, and examples of how they manifest in thought processes.
Arbitrary Inference
Arbitrary inference involves making conclusions without sufficient...