April Open Training: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training & Implementation

What is TF-CBT?

TF-CBT is a short-term, evidence-based treatment for children, ages 3-18, who have experienced trauma (e.g., child abuse, domestic violence, traumatic grief, and other traumatic events) and their caregivers. There is also growing efficacy/promising research of TF-CBT for transitioning adults (19-22). This components-based psychotherapy model incorporates trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic principles. TF-CBT is empirically supported for use with youth impacted by trauma and co-occurring mental health problems. It is designated a Model Program by SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and has received the highest scientific rating as a Well-Supported-Effective Practice by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (http://www.cebc4cw.org). Clinical research shows that TF-CBT significantly reduces children’s symptoms of PTSD and improves overall mental health in children and caregivers.

Virtual Training Description:

This two-day virtual training will provide mental health and related professionals with a comprehensive understanding of TF-CBT as well as hands-on opportunities to practice the TF-CBT components. In addition, training time is devoted to formal and informal trauma assessment techniques, including information about how to screen for trauma exposure and measure trauma symptoms, using standardized screening instruments. Participants will be provided with free assessment tools and learn how to provide clinical assessment feedback. This TF-CBT training also includes background on the prevalence of trauma exposure and trauma-related symptoms in children and adolescents.

What Makes This Training Unique?

• This TF-CBT training is highly interactive in ways that participants report are fun, engaging, helpful, and supportive – given that it is so interactive, there are often 2 or more senior trainers supporting training activities.
• Trainers share numerous clinical examples for each treatment component, including audio/video of sessions, trauma narratives, drawings, and other clinical materials.
• Participants follow treatment progress of one or more clients by watching video-taped sessions of each component of TF-CBT.
• Trainers have extensive experience in child trauma and resilience, emotion-focused parenting, social emotional development, child/parent mental health and their clinical, research, and training applications.
• We (the trainers) are parents as well, parenting with humility, using our skills daily with our own children impacted by medical trauma, neurodiversity, divorce, blended families, and adoption.

TF-CBT Components:

• Assessment Feedback
• Psychoeducation and Parenting Strategies
• Relaxation
• Affective expression and regulation
• Cognitive coping
• Trauma narrative and processing
• In vivo exposure
• Conjoint parent-child sessions
• Enhancing personal safety and future growth

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and engage children and families who would benefit from TF-CBT
• Describe the treatment components and understand the underlying rationale of each component.
• Learn how to link trauma assessment results to TF-CBT treatment plans and track treatment progress over time.
• Learn and practice skills to implement PRACTICE treatment components.
• Learn several creative approaches for doing the Trauma Narrative and practice exposure techniques.
• Learn strategies for addressing distorted and unhelpful trauma-related cognitions.
• Address common barriers to treatment implementation. 

About the Trainers:

Dr. Monica Fitzgerald 

Dr. Fitzgerald is a Senior Research Associate and licensed clinical psychologist at the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dr. Fitzgerald is a certified, expert trainer in AF-CBT and TF-CBT. She regularly conducts trainings and provides consultation for these models nationally and internationally.

For more information about Dr. Fitzgerald or the Center For Resilience and Well-Being, please visit: https://ibsweb.colorado.edu/crw/

Dr. Kimberly Shipman 

Dr. Kimberly Shipman is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Dr. Shipman is a licensed psychologist (clinical and developmental) with expertise in emotion socialization, children’s social and emotional development, child mental health and child trauma.

For more information about Dr. Shipman or the Center For Resilience and Well-Being, please visit: https://ibsweb.colorado.edu/crw/

About Consultation/Implementation Support:

Consult calls are used to support providers using TF-CBT in their own practice following training. They are also required for the TF-CBT national certification. (https://www.tfcbt.org).

• Clinicians are expected to carry a minimum of 2 TF-CBT training cases, use assessments, present on calls, and receive feedback and direction through telephone and/or video conferencing.
• Consult groups consist of approximately 10-12 participants, are 60 minutes in duration, and occur twice per month for 6 months.

Pre-Training Activities:

Prior to the training, we ask you to complete the following:

Complete the full TF-CBTWeb 2.0 on-line course. The cost of this course is $35 and it offers 11 CEUs upon completion. TF-CBTWeb 2.0 may be accessed via the following weblink: www.musc.edu/tfcbt2.

Notes/CEUs:

• At the end of the three-day training you will be provided with a completion certificate denoting 16 hours of live virtual TF-CBT training.
• This training certificate can be used as documentation of training completion when applying for licensing renewal.
• Completion of the full TF-CBTWeb 2.0 on-line course offers 11 CEUs upon completion.

Training Schedule:

• Thursday, April 25, 2024: 8:30am-5:00pm Mountain Time
• Friday, April 26, 2024: 8:30am-5:00pm Mountain Time

Please adjust for your time zone accordingly.

Special Rates:

• Students- a total of 12 students may attend the virtual TF-CBT training for $250.00 with proof of current student ID or transcript. To request this rate please contact Natalie Blunt by email at Natalie.Blunt@colorado.edu.
• Early Career (you've graduated with your Master's in the past 3 years)- early career professionals may attend the TF-CBT training and consultation for $700.00 with proof of graduation (e.g. diploma). To request this, please email Natalie Blunt by email at Natalie.Blunt@colorado.edu.

Group Rates:

• If you are an organization or agency looking to send 10 or more clinicians to our training, you will receive a 20% discount on the training cost for any full price ticket. To request this rate, please email Natalie Blunt by email at Natalie.Blunt@colorado.edu.

Additional Resources:

To learn more about your Certified Trainers and The Center for Resilience and Well-Being in Schools, please visit our website: https://ibsweb.colorado.edu/crw/who-we-are/