Disseminating Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a Systematic Self‑care Approach to Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress: PRACTICE What You Preach

Date

2020

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Community Mental Health Journal

Abstract

This pilot study evaluated the efectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training programs augmented with a systematic “PRACTICE What You Preach” (PWYP) self-care focus, which has trainees personally utilize the coping skills they teach their clients. Participants were 115 clinicians/supervisors who completed a PWYP TF-CBT training program. Pre- to post-training analyses documented signifcant increases in participants’ competency and fdelity in implementing TF-CBT (ps < .001), signifcantly more frequent use of coping skills including instrumental social support (p < .01), active coping (p < .001), humor (p < .01), and restraint (p < .01), and signifcant decreases in secondary traumatic stress (STS; p < .001). Children’s symptoms of PTSD (ps < .001) and behavior problems (p < .05) also decreased signifcantly. This preliminary evidence suggests that training augmented with PWYP may enhance clinicians’/supervisors’ personal coping and reduce their levels of STS without compromising treatment implementation eforts and client outcomes.

Description

Keywords

child abuse, treatment, TF-CBT, secondary traumatic stress, research, clinicians

Citation

Deblinger, E., Pollio, E., Cooper, B., & Steer, R. A. (2020). Disseminating Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a Systematic Self-care Approach to Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress: PRACTICE What You Preach. Community Mental Health Journal, 1-13.

DOI