Transdiagnostic, Stepped-Care Approach to Treating Youth Mental Health Concerns

As youth mental health concerns continue to increase, creative solutions must be developed to increase access to timely and effective care. Stepped-care models (SCMs) provide one innovative solution by offering patients initial access to low-intensity treatment options and "stepping-up" those who remain symptomatic. Most youth-focused SCMs have been developed for specific diagnoses, failing to account for the high comorbidities and undifferentiated symptom profiles common at this age. In response, transdiagnostic SCMs have emerged, focused on treating shared mechanisms of youth psychopathology through use of common evidence-based treatment elements. Although available studies are showing early promise, additional research is needed.