Developing a supplemental resource for trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapist working with black American adolescents

Abstract

The prevalence of trauma for Black American youth is disproportionate to other cultural groups. Child and adolescent exposure to interpersonal trauma has been found to increase the risk for both immediate and long-term mental health impairment. Research of childhood trauma has made clear the adverse effects of childhood trauma, and its’ lifelong impact in domains of psychological, interpersonal, and cognitive functioning. Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that has repeatedly proven to be efficacious in the treatment of childhood trauma. By offering culturally mindful recommendations for treatment, this dissertation lends a potentially useful supplement to providers utilizing TF-CBT with Black American adolescents