title: Implementation of CBT for youth affected by the World Trade Center disaster: matching need to treatment intensity and reducing trauma symptoms.
abstract: An implementation study of cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) was conducted for traumatized youth in a postdisaster context. Headed by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the study targeted youth (N = 306) ages 5-21 affected by the World Trade Center disaster. They received either trauma-specific CBT or brief CBT skills depending upon the severity of trauma symptoms. Clinicians were trained to deliver these interventions and received monthly consultation. A regression discontinuity design was used to assess optimal strategies for matching need to service intensity. At 6-months postbaseline, both groups had improved. Rate of change was similar despite differences in severity of need. The implications for the implementation of evidence-based treatments postdisaster are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Hoagwood@childpsych.columbia.edu.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009518:New York; D016730:Program Development; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult