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.

Training Schedule:

Thursday, August 27th, 2026: 8:30am-5:00pm Mountain Time
Friday, August 28th, 2026: 8:30am-5:00pm Mountain Time

Please adjust for your time zone accordingly.

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, where she directs the Center for Resilience and Well-Being. Dr. Fitzgerald is a certified expert trainer in trauma-focused family interventions  TF-CBT and AF-CBT.  Dr. Fitzgerald is a co-developer of the Let’s Connect® parenting program and she is co-developer of the trauma-informed K-12 prevention program, Resilience in Schools & Educators (RISE). She regularly conducts trainings and provides consultation for these models and programs nationally and internationally. 

Dr. Fitzgerald specializes in childhood trauma, resilience, social-emotional development, family communication, and parenting. She has expertise in implementing and disseminating evidence-based trauma focused family interventions. She emphasizes the importance of adults’ well-being in creating safe, nurturing environments and strong, trusting relationships that foster healthy emotional regulation and coping skills for youth. Dr. Fitzgerald enjoys supporting mental health professionals learn and try out the TF-CBT skills and well-being strategies. During case consultation, following training, we learn together in small groups applying the strategies with a variety of cases. Clinicians find this a very supportive learning community.

Dr. Fitzgerald earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Georgia and completed a clinical internship and NIMH postdoctoral research fellowship in child traumatic stress at the National Crime Victims Research Treatment Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. When not working, Monica enjoys spending time with her husband, three kids and staying active through rock climbing, mountain biking, and skiing in Colorado. To learn more about Dr. Fitzgerald: Let’s Connect®, CRW, Resilient Families Therapy, and Instagram @monica_H2H

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.

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 two-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.

Special Rates:

Students - a total of 6 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 $475.00 with proof of graduation (e.g. diploma). To request this, please email Natalie Blunt by email at Natalie.Blunt@colorado.edu.

Please note: Humanitix applies a $25.37 processing fee to all rates listed above.

Group Rates:

If you are an organization or agency looking to send 10 or more clinicians to our training, you will receive a 10% 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, please visit our website: https://ibsweb.colorado.edu/crw/who-we-are/

Contact the host of August Open Training: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training & Implementation

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