Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Who’s invited? All therapists, clinicians, & students are welcome. Note: A Master’s degree in a clinical field is required for certification in the model.

Why? Here’s a unique opportunity for training to add TF-CBT to your toolkit and/or use it to inform your current practices.

What is TF-CBT? TF-CBT (Cohen et al., 2006) is an intervention that was developed for traumatized children with PTSD and their non-offending caregivers. Treatment is divided into three phases: coping skills (i.e., affect identification and regulation for children, affect regulation and parent training for caregivers), trauma narrative, and conjoint sessions to share the narrative and develop ongoing safety plans. Treatment is designed to reduce trauma-related mental health problems, including children’s PTSD, depression, and externalizing behavior problems.

The evidence supporting the efficacy of TF-CBT is impressive. To date, TF-CBT developers and their have published over 20 randomized controlled trials showing that the model works with preschoolers, children, and adolescents who have been sexually abused, exposed to intimate partner, bereaved due to traumatized circumstances, exposed to disasters, etc. TF-CBT treatment effects included significant reductions in children's PTSD, depressive symptoms, and externalizing behaviors.

Training in TF-CBT includes: completion of the TF-CBT web-based training, attendance at a 3-day Live Web learning session, and participation in 12 consultation calls in which cases are presented and discussed.

The cost for the 3-day session and 12 consultation calls is $900 paid using the registration link below.

There is a $35 fee for the web-based pre-requisite training paid separately through the MUSC website.

Upon Completion of the Pre-Req training send Certificate to BrownE@stjohns.edu

May 6th through 8th

11:00am to 3:30pm EST Daily

Online Training Link will be sent prior to day 1

For assistance with registration and payment please contact Lauren Euell (euelll@stjohns.edu)

Meet the Trainers:

Dr. Elissa Brown

Dr. Elissa Brown is Professor of Psychology and Executive Director of the Child HELP Partnership at St. John’s University. Her primary clinical and research interests include the prevention and treatment of child trauma and its mental health impacts. She has conducted clinical research on the assessment and treatment of sexual assault, child physical abuse, domestic violence, and bereavement related to traumatic circumstances (9/11). She is the Director of a Category III affiliate site of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, housed at Child HELP Partnership and was Co-Director of the 9/11 Child and Family Recovery Program. She is co-developer of Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, a treatment for family conflict and physical abuse and a certified trainer of Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, a treatment for traumatized youth and their non-offending caregivers. She is a member of several national and international organizations dedicated to improving mental health services for traumatized children and has served on the Board of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.

Dr. Komal Sharma-Patel

Dr. Komal Sharma-Patel is the Assistant Director of the Child HELP Partnership at St. John’s University. She oversees the daily research and clinical operations of a clinicalresearch program and a Category III affiliate site of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (Brown, PI) that focuses on providing evidence-based treatments to youths with maltreatment histories and their caregivers. Dr. Sharma-Patel also directs the externship program, supervising the training of advanced trainees on employing evidencebased treatments. Additionally, she organizes and implements trainings on trauma assessments to trainees and professionals. She is a trainer in Alternative for Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, participating as faculty in a state-wide learning collaborative in South Carolina. Additionally, Dr. Sharma-Patel is a certified supervisor in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. She has helped to oversee system implementation and evaluation of Alternatives for Families in child advocacy centers throughout South Carolina, Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in 16 foster care agencies in New York City, and Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools in educational settings affected by Hurricane Sandy.