Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modular CBT for Youth: Principles and Guides

  • Protocol
  • First Online:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Youth: Tradition and Innovation

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 156))

Abstract

The past decade has seen a proliferation of modular interventions. Modular interventions differ from traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) manuals by formalizing clinical decision-making via a system of rules and algorithms that clinicians can use to identify their clients’ needs and best strategies to address those needs. Depending on the intervention, this typically allows clinicians to personalize treatment (e.g., shuffling the order of modules, extending or shortening treatment duration). This chapter provides clarification about what constitutes a modular treatment by reviewing the four concepts of modularity and how these can help address common limitations of traditional CBT manuals. The chapter also reviews currently available modular CBT interventions for youth, common strategies for implementing modular treatments, and two case examples to help further clarify how to use modular design principles in clinical practice.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Protocol
USD 49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Weisz JR, Chorpita BF (2012) “Mod squad” for youth psychotherapy: restructuring evidence-based treatment for clinical practice. In: Kendall PC (ed) Child and adolescent therapy: cognitive–behavioral procedures. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  2. Southam-Gerow MA, Weisz JR, Kendall PC (2003) Youth with anxiety disorders in research and service clinics: examining client differences and similarities. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 32(3):375–385

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Weisz JR, Southam-Gerow MA, Gordis EB, Connor-Smith JK, Chu BC, Langer DA, McLeod BD, Jensen-Doss A, Updegraff A, Weiss B (2009) Cognitive–behavioral therapy versus usual clinical care for youth depression: an initial test of transportability to community clinics and clinicians. J Consult Clin Psychol 77(3):383

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Chorpita BF, Korathu-Larson P, Knowles LM, Guan K (2014) Emergent life events and their impact on service delivery: should we expect the unexpected? Prof Psychol Res Pract 45(5):387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Guan K, Park AL, Chorpita BF (2017) Emergent life events during youth evidence-based treatment: impact on future provider adherence and clinical progress. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 48:S202–S218

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Addis ME, Krasnow AD (2000) A national survey of practicing psychologists’ attitudes toward psychotherapy treatment manuals. J Consult Clin Psychol 68(2):331

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bruns EJ, Walker JS, Bernstein A, Daleiden E, Pullmann MD, Chorpita BF (2014) Family voice with informed choice: coordinating wraparound with research-based treatment for children and adolescents. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 43(2):256–269

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Rith-Najarian LR, Daleiden EL, Chorpita BF (2016) Evidence-based decision making in youth mental health prevention. Am J Prev Med 51(4):S132–S139

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Chu BC, Merson RA, Zandberg LJ, Areizaga M (2012) Calibrating for comorbidity: clinical decision-making in youth depression and anxiety. Cogn Behav Pract 19(1):5–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Chorpita BF, Daleiden EL, Weisz JR (2005) Identifying and selecting the common elements of evidence based interventions: a distillation and matching model. Ment Health Serv Res 7(1):5–20

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Weisz JR, Chorpita BF, Palinkas LA, Schoenwald SK, Miranda J, Bearman SK, Daleiden EL, Ugueto AM, Ho A, Martin J (2012) Testing standard and modular designs for psychotherapy treating depression, anxiety, and conduct problems in youth: a randomized effectiveness trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry 69(3):274–282

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lyon AR, Ludwig K, Romano E, Koltracht J, Vander Stoep A, McCauley E (2014) Using modular psychotherapy in school mental health: provider perspectives on intervention-setting fit. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 43(6):890–901

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Chorpita BF, Daleiden EL, Weisz JR (2005) Modularity in the design and application of therapeutic interventions. Appl Prev Psychol 11(3):141–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Ng MY, Weisz JR (2016) Annual research review: building a science of personalized intervention for youth mental health. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 57(3):216–236

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Boustani MM, Gellatly R, Westman JG, Chorpita B (2017) Advances in cognitive behavioral treatment design: time for a glossary. Behav Ther 40(6):199–207

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lyon AR, Lau AS, McCauley E, Vander Stoep A, Chorpita BF (2014) A case for modular design: implications for implementing evidence-based interventions with culturally diverse youth. Prof Psychol Res Pract 45(1):57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Kendall PC (2006) Coping cat workbook. Workbook Publishing, Ardmore, PA

    Google Scholar 

  18. Borntrager CF, Chorpita BF, Higa-McMillan C, Weisz JR (2009) Provider attitudes toward evidence-based practices: are the concerns with the evidence or with the manuals? Psychiatr Serv 60(5):677–681

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Palinkas LA, Weisz JR, Chorpita BF, Levine B, Garland AF, Hoagwood KE, Landsverk J (2013) Continued use of evidence-based treatments after a randomized controlled effectiveness trial: a qualitative study. Psychiatr Serv 64(11):1110–1118

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Bickman L, Rog DJ (2008) The SAGE handbook of applied social research methods. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA

    Google Scholar 

  21. Chorpita BF, Bernstein A, Daleiden EL (2008) Health RNoYM: driving with roadmaps and dashboards: using information resources to structure the decision models in service organizations. Adm Policy Ment Health Ment Health Serv Res 35(1–2):114–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Becker-Haimes EM, Tabachnick AR, Last BS, Stewart RE, Hasan-Granier A, Beidas RS (2020) Evidence base update for brief, free, and accessible youth mental health measures. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 49(1):1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2019.1689824

  23. Chorpita B, Weisz J (2009) Modular approach to therapy for children with anxiety, depression, trauma, or conduct problems (MATCH-ADTC). Practice Wise LLC, Satellite Beach, FL

    Google Scholar 

  24. Chorpita BF (1998) Modular cognitive behavior therapy for child and adolescent anxiety disorders: therapist manual. Unpublished manuscript

    Google Scholar 

  25. Chorpita BF, Barlow DH (1998) The development of anxiety: the role of control in the early environment. Psychol Bull 124(1):3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Beck A, Rush A, Shaw B, Emery G (1979) Cognitive therapy of depression. Guilford, New York, NY

    Google Scholar 

  27. Kendall PC, Hedtke KA (2006) Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxious children: therapist manual. Workbook Publishing, Ardmore, PA

    Google Scholar 

  28. Silverman WK, Kurtines WM, Ginsburg GS, Weems CF, Lumpkin PW, Carmichael DH (1999) Treating anxiety disorders in children with group cognitive-behavioral therapy: a randomized clinical trial. J Consult Clin Psychol 67(6):995

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Chiu AW, Langer DA, McLeod BD, Har K, Drahota A, Galla BM, Jacobs J, Ifekwunigwe M, Wood JJ (2013) Effectiveness of modular CBT for child anxiety in elementary schools. Sch Psychol Q 28(2):141

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Chorpita BF, Taylor AA, Francis SE, Moffitt C, Austin AA (2004) Efficacy of modular cognitive behavior therapy for childhood anxiety disorders. Behav Ther 35(2):263–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Storch EA, Arnold EB, Lewin AB, Nadeau JM, Jones AM, De Nadai AS, Mutch PJ, Selles RR, Ung D, Murphy TK (2013) The effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy versus treatment as usual for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 52(2):132–142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Ehrenreich JT, Goldstein CR, Wright LR, Barlow DH (2009) Development of a unified protocol for the treatment of emotional disorders in youth. Child Fam Behav Ther 31(1):20–37

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Kolko DJ, Dorn LD, Bukstein OG, Pardini D, Holden EA, Hart J (2009) Community vs. clinic-based modular treatment of children with early-onset ODD or CD: a clinical trial with 3-year follow-up. J Abnorm Child Psychol 37(5):591–609

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Kolko DJ, Campo JV, Kelleher K, Cheng Y (2010) Improving access to care and clinical outcome for pediatric behavioral problems: a randomized trial of a nurse-administered intervention in primary care. J Dev Behav Pediatr 31(5):393

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Vanschoonlandt F, Vanderfaeillie J, Van Holen F, De Maeyer S (2012) Development of an intervention for foster parents of young foster children with externalizing behavior: theoretical basis and program description. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 15(4):330–344

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Dorsey S, Berliner L, Lyon AR, Pullmann MD, Murray LK (2016) A statewide common elements initiative for children’s mental health. J Behav Health Serv Res 43(2):246–261

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Bolton P, Lee C, Haroz EE, Murray L, Dorsey S, Robinson C, Ugueto AM, Bass J (2014) A transdiagnostic community-based mental health treatment for comorbid disorders: development and outcomes of a randomized controlled trial among Burmese refugees in Thailand. PLoS Med 11(11):e1001757

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Murray LK, Dorsey S, Haroz E, Lee C, Alsiary MM, Haydary A, Weiss WM, Bolton P (2014) A common elements treatment approach for adult mental health problems in low-and middle-income countries. Cogn Behav Pract 21(2):111–123

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Murray L, Hall B, Dorsey S, Ugueto A, Puffer E, Sim A, Ismael A, Bass J, Akiba C, Lucid L (2018) An evaluation of a common elements treatment approach for youth in Somali refugee camps. Global Ment Health 5:e16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Southam-Gerow MA, Daleiden EL, Chorpita BF, Bae C, Mitchell C, Faye M, Alba M (2014) MAPping Los Angeles County: taking an evidence-informed model of mental health care to scale. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 43(2):190–200

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Chorpita BF, Daleiden EL (2014) Structuring the collaboration of science and service in pursuit of a shared vision. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 43(2):323–338

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB (2001) The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med 16(9):606–613

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Chorpita BF, Ebesutani C, Spence SH (2011) Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale. http://www.childfirst.ucla.edu/Resources.html. Accessed 12 Dec 2011

  44. Pellerin KA, Costa NM, Weems CF, Dalton RF (2010) An examination of treatment completers and non-completers at a child and adolescent community mental health clinic. Commun Ment Health J 46(3):273–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Nock MK, Ferriter C (2005) Parent management of attendance and adherence in child and adolescent therapy: a conceptual and empirical review. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 8(2):149–166

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Becker KD, Park A, Boustani M, Chorpita BF (2019) A pilot study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a coordinated intervention design to address treatment engagement challenges in school mental health services. J Sch Psychol 76:78–88

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Guan K, Boustani MM, Chorpita BF (2019) “Teaching moments” in psychotherapy: addressing emergent life events using strategies from a modular evidence-based treatment. Behav Ther 50(1):101–114

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Thomas KC, Ellis AR, Konrad TR, Holzer CE, Morrissey JP (2009) County-level estimates of mental health professional shortage in the United States. Psychiatr Serv 60(10):1323–1328

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Merwin E, Hinton I, Dembling B, Stern S (2003) Shortages of rural mental health professionals. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 17(1):42–51

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Bruckner TA, Scheffler RM, Shen G, Yoon J, Chisholm D, Morris J, Fulton BD, Dal Poz MR, Saxena S (2011) The mental health workforce gap in low-and middle-income countries: a needs-based approach. Bull WHO 89:184–194

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA

    Maya Boustani

  2. Hathaway Sycamores Child and Family Services, Pasadena, CA, USA

    Jennifer Regan & Cameo Stanick

  3. Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Jennifer Regan

Authors
  1. Maya Boustani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jennifer Regan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cameo Stanick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maya Boustani .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Robert D. Friedberg

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA

    Brad J. Nakamura

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

About this protocol

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this protocol

Boustani, M., Regan, J., Stanick, C. (2020). Modular CBT for Youth: Principles and Guides. In: Friedberg, R., Nakamura, B. (eds) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Youth: Tradition and Innovation. Neuromethods, vol 156. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0700-8_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0700-8_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-0699-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-0700-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation