Trauma-Focused CBT for Children and Adolescents

“This is an excellent book covering a topic of high significance. A highly skilled group of chapter contributors add and expand on Cohen, Mannarino, and Deblinger’s explanation of TF-CBT. The elements of this treatment approach are clearly explained and the research documenting its effectiveness is detailed. This would be an excellent graduate text in any psychology or social work program where children’s issues and trauma are a part of the curriculum. It provides the reader with a clear understanding of the treatment approach, highlighting its flexibility and use with varied age groups and significantly diverse cultures. It contains sufficient detail and is enhanced by case presentations, such that one is left with a clear idea of how to implement such treatment programming with this specialized population.”

—Child and Family Behavior Therapy


“Cohen, Mannarino, and Deblinger have done it again! The TF-CBT developers compile the wisdom of expert clinicians and trainers in this valuable book. They share innovative strategies for applying TF-CBT to serve children across varying settings, developmental issues, and special populations.”

—Lisa Amaya-Jackson, MD, MPH, UCLA–Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, Duke University School of Medicine


“Provides extensive, clinically grounded illustrations of how TF-CBT can be flexibly used to address trauma impact for children in varied and complex circumstances. Therapists will find critical information for enhancing therapy effectiveness in diverse populations, from foster children to military families. Chapters provide specific adjustments and adaptations for each of the standard components of TF-CBT, supported with relevant case examples. The volume demonstrates how this empirically supported intervention can be broadly applied to the full range of children and families affected by trauma. It also has utility for graduate students learning evidence-based practice. The book shows that it is possible to remain faithful to a model while making population-specific adaptations.”

—Lucy Berliner, MSW, Director, Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress, University of Washington


“This outstanding contribution helps professionals and students gain knowledge about many different applications of TF-CBT. The book conveys the flexibility of this important approach and describes how to adapt it for a variety of settings and populations—for example, military families, children with developmental disabilities, and culturally diverse children. Particularly helpful are the discussions of strategies for tailoring TF-CBT to specific children's needs, such as by incorporating play or drawing on cultural traditions. This book should be required reading for all who work with traumatized children and their families, regardless of theoretical orientation, because it elucidates the impact of traumatic experiences—and meaningful ways to intervene—so well.”

—Joy D. Osofsky, PhD, Paul J. Ramsay Chair, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center


“Edited and written by expert clinicians, this book presents state-of-the-art treatments for traumatized children, adolescents, and their families. Cohen, Mannarino, and Deblinger are key contributors to recent advances in trauma-informed mental health services who have decades of experience in the field. A vital addition to the libraries of practicing clinicians, the book will also be of great benefit to students and trainees. I recommend it most highly.”

—Terence M. Keane, PhD, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, and Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine