Abstract
Objective
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for children has been shown efficacious, but community access to it is often limited by the lack of trained therapists. This study evaluated a child, CBT-focused, 20-session weekly group supervision seminar with a didactic component which was provided to community mental health practitioners by experienced CBT therapists from an academic center.
Methods
Twenty-two practitioners from four community mental health agencies completed the training in four groups (one for each agency); one group was trained by videoconference. The authors assessed outcomes immediately after the training and at 6-month follow-up using a mixed-method design including quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
Results
Participants’ knowledge on a multiple-choice test of child CBT increased with training, as did their self-reported confidence using CBT and desire to do further child CBT. Therapist age and use of an intake diagnostic screen related to positive outcomes, and participants advocated for more structured training.
Conclusion
Child CBT can be successfully taught to community practitioners using this training model, but refinement based on participant feedback and further studies that include direct observation of CBT skills are needed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Compton SN, March JS, Brent D, et al: Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy for anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents: an evidence-based medicine review. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2004; 43: 930–959
Sudak DM, Beck JS, Gracely EJ: Readiness of psychiatry residency training programs to meet the ACGME requirements in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Acad Psychiatry 2002; 26: 96–101
Jensen-Doss A, Cusack KJ, de Arellano MA: Workshop-based training in trauma-focused CBT: an in-depth analysis of impact on provider practices. Community Ment Health J: 2008; 44: 227–244
Hides L, Elkins K, Catania LS, et al: Feasibility and outcomes of an innovative cognitive-behavioral skill training program for co-occurring disorders in youth alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector. Drug Alcohol Rev 2007; 26: 517–523
Barankin T, Manassis K: Multimodal evaluations in development of a child CBT course for community professionals (poster). Halifax, Canadian Association for Continuing Health Education, September 2003
Mannix KA, Blackburn IM, Garland A, et al: Effectiveness of brief training in cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for palliative care practitioners. Palliat Med 2006; 20: 579–584
Murrihy R, Byrne MK: Training models for psychiatry in primary care: a new frontier. Australas Psychiatry 2005; 13: 296–301
Newton JR, Yardley PG: Evaluation of CBT training of clinicians in routine clinical practice. Psychiatr Serv 2007; 58: 1497
Sholomskas DE, Syracuse-Siewert G, Rounsaville BJ, et al: The authors don’t train in vain: a dissemination trial of three strategies of training clinicians in cognitive-behavioral therapy. J Consult Clin Psychol 2005; 73: 106–115
Cassidy KL: The adult learner rediscovered: psychiatry residents’ push for cognitive-behavioral therapy training and a learner-driven model of educational change. Acad Psychiatry 2004; 28: 215–220
Rees CS, Gillam D: Training in cognitive behavioral therapy for mental health professionals: a pilot study of videoconferencing. J Telemed Telecare 2001; 7: 300–303
Brooker C, Saul C, Robinson J, et al: Is training in psychosocial interventions worthwhile? Int J Nurs Stud 2003; 40: 731–747
Rowe L, Tonge B: Cognitive behavioral therapy skills training for adolescent depression. Aust Fam Physician 2003; 32: 364–368
Manassis K: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Children: A Guide for the Community Practitioner. New York, Brunner-Routledge, 2009
Manassis K, Mendlowitz S: Coping Bear Treatment Package. Los Altos, Calif, Sociometrics Corporation, 2008
Mendlowitz S, Manassis K, Bradley S, et al: Cognitive behavioral group treatments in childhood anxiety disorders: the role of parental involvement. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1999; 38: 1223–1229
Manassis K, Mendlowitz S, Scapillato D, et al: Group and individual cognitive behavior therapy for childhood anxiety disorders: a randomized trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002; 41: 1423–1430
Kendall PC, Hedtke KA: Coping Cat: CBT for Anxious Children (Therapist Manual), 3rd ed. Ardmore, Penn, Workbook Publishing, 2007
Manassis K: Keys to Parenting Your Anxious Child, 2nd ed. Hauppauge, NY, Barron’s Educational Series, 2008
Creswell JW: Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Traditions. Thousand Oaks, Calif, Sage Publications, 1998
Strauss A, Corbin J: Grounded theory methodology: an overview, in Handbook of Qualitative Research. Edited by Denzin N, Lincoln Y. Thousand Oaks, Calif, Sage Publications, 1994
James IA, Balckburn IM, Milne DL, et al: Moderators of trainee therapists’ competence in cognitive therapy. Br J Clin Psychol 2001; 40: 131–141
Duryee J, Brymer M, Gold K: The supervisory needs of neophyte psychotherapy trainees. J Clin Psychol 1996; 52: 663–671
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
The authors received financial support from Centre of Excellence in Children’s Mental Health at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Children’s Miracles Fund and the community partners Aisling Discoveries Centre, Bloorview MacMillan Centre, George Hull Centre, and Kinark Child and Family Services. The authors thank Dr. Melanie Barwick for her consultation, and Mss. Lisa Fiksenbaum, Karen Sappleton, and Laurie DeOliveira for data management. At the time of submission, the authors declared no competing interests.
Until her untimely death in the fall of 2006
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Manassis, K., Ickowicz, A., Picard, E. et al. An Innovative Child CBT Training Model for Community Mental Health Practitioners in Ontario. Acad Psychiatry 33, 394–399 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.33.5.394
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.33.5.394