Topic: Violence and abuse

TF-CBT in Norwegian Child Advocacy Centers

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is a evidence-based treatment method for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and who struggle with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Since 2012, the Norwegian Center for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS) has been responsible for implementing TF-CBT in child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics (BUP) on behalf of the Norwegian Directorate of Health. In this research project, we will test TF-CBT in Norwegian Child Advocacy Centers (CAC). Through interviews and questionnaire data, we will investigate factors that may affect the implementation and effect of the therapy in a CAC context.

 
2021 This project is ongoing 2025

Project Manager

Project Members

Main objective

Research question 1:

How do children experience trauma treatment at CACs and how are these experiences shaped by the CACs dual role as an investigating and helping agency?

Research question 2:

What predicts the treatment effect for children who receive TF-CBT in SB and what characterizes those who respond to treatment after the first phase of TF-CBT (“early responders”) compared to those who need the full treatment protocol?

Research question 3:

How do therapists at risk of developing burnout and secondary traumatic stress symptoms experience working with TF-CBT in SB?

Method

Research question 1:

Data: Interviews with 15 children after receiving TF-CBT treatment

We will investigate:

• Whether experiences from the interrogation affect the child’s experience of therapeutic alliance and trust in treatment
• Whether the child is able to distinguish between interrogation and treatment

Research question 2:

Data: Questionnaire data from 100 children

We will investigate:

• Process
• Treatment dose
• Treatment outcome

Research question 3:

Data: Interviews with 15 TF-CBT therapists + questionnaire data from all CAC employees about burnout and secondary traumatic stress.
 
We will investigate:

• Prevalence of burnout and secondary traumatic stress in the State Orphanage

• Relationship between risk (personal and workplace) and symptoms of burnout and secondary traumatic stress

Further information

The project has received ethical approval from REK 9.9.2020 and 26.1.2021, reference nr. 120884 as well as approved DPIA from NSD, reference nr. 469831.