Program Overview

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Training

The Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training is offered to mental health agencies and clinicians treating youth (ages 0 to 25) impacted by trauma. This intensive learning community is funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), allowing for TF-CBT training to be provided at little or no cost to participants.

What Is TF-CBT?

TF-CBT is the gold standard for trauma therapy in children and adolescents, and it is also the most rigorously tested trauma treatment in children. Research supports that TF-CBT is more effective than therapy as usual for traumatized youth. TF-CBT is a time-limited, components-based, trauma-focused model that involves child sessions, parent sessions, and combined parent-child sessions.

Trauma-Focused CBT Training: Who We Help

The program increases both the number of professionals trained in evidence-based trauma therapy and access to care for underserved high-risk youth, including:

• Court-involved youth
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth
• Transition age youth (16 to 25)
• Youth impacted by parental substance misuse
• Youth victims of commercial sexual exploitation/trafficking

Our Approach to TF-CBT Training

At Lifeline for Kids, the goal is to build capacity for trauma treatment services. In Massachusetts alone, thousands of mental health professionals have been trained in evidence-based trauma treatments, impacting the lives of countless children and families.

Benefits of Partnering with Us

When partnering with Lifeline for Kids, benefits include:

• Advanced training in priority populations: Advanced training modules and resources have been developed to address the application of TF-CBT in specific high-risk, underserved youth populations, such as LGBTQ youth.
• Customization: Trainings are tailored to the needs of each audience. Participants gain the knowledge and context needed to apply TF-CBT to the populations they serve.
• TF-CBT certification eligibility: Courses are facilitated by nationally certified and recognized TF-CBT trainers. Upon program completion, participants are eligible for TF-CBT certification through the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy National Therapist Certification Program.

Trauma-Focused CBT Training: What to Expect

The TF-CBT trainings involve:

• Pre-work through the Medical University of South Carolina's TF-CBT Web 2.0 course
• Basic training (2 days)
• Peer-to-peer support and consultation from national TF-CBT experts as participants put the model into practice (monthly for 1 year or twice per month for 6 months)