title: Engaging foster parents in treatment: a randomized trial of supplementing trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy with evidence-based engagement strategies.
abstract: The goal of this study was to examine the impact of supplementing Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT; Cohen et al., 2006) with evidence-based engagement strategies on foster parent and foster youth engagement in treatment, given challenges engaging foster parents in treatment. A randomized controlled trial of TF-CBT standard delivery compared to TF-CBT plus evidence-based engagement strategies was conducted with 47 children and adolescents in foster care and one of their foster parents. Attendance, engagement, and clinical outcomes were assessed 1 month into treatment, end of treatment, and 3 months post-treatment. Youth and foster parents who received TF-CBT plus evidence-based engagement strategies were more likely to be retained in treatment through four sessions and were less likely to drop out of treatment prematurely. The engagement strategies did not appear to have an effect on the number of canceled or no-show sessions or on treatment satisfaction. Clinical outcomes did not differ by study condition, but exploratory analyses suggest that youth had significant improvements with treatment. Strategies that specifically target engagement may hold promise for increasing access to evidence-based treatments and for increasing likelihood of treatment completion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Washington, 335 Guthrie Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dorsey
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, 2815 Eastlake Avenue East, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98102, USA.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pullmann
authors.affiliation: Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress, 401 Broadway, Suite 2027, Seattle, WA 98122, USA.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berliner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Rachel Upjohn Building, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koschmann
authors.affiliation: Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, Room 205, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.affiliation: Rowan University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, 42 East Laurel Road, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Deblinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014861:Washington
keywords: Child trauma; Child welfare; Engagement; Foster care; TF-CBT; Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy