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Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS)

RAND Corporation

CBITS is designed for students who have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
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  1. Resources
  2. Implementation tools
  3. Programs Directory

Overview

Alignment with Be You Domains

  • Early Support

Alignment with Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)

  • Children have a strong sense of identity
  • Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

Alignment with Australian Curriculum

  • Health and PE

Target audience

  • Primary school
  • Secondary school

Target groups

  • Small group

Aims

CBITS is designed for students exposed to a traumatic event who have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. It aims to reduce symptoms, build coping skills, and build peer and parent support.

Program theory

This program rests on cognitive-behavioural theory of anxiety and depression.

Topics

Psychoeducation, relaxation training, identifying and challenging maladaptive thinking, anxiety reduction, problem-solving, building a trauma narrative, approaching safe trauma reminders.

Cost

Start-up costs include training as well as ongoing supervision or consultation by an expert in cognitive-behavioural interventions for trauma. Training per 12 to 15 participants costs approximately $5,000 plus trainer travel expenses, although a free online training course is also available. Implementation materials include background reading, sample forms and evaluation tools, screening tools and information, fidelity checklists and instructions on how to use them, adaptations for Spanish speakers and low-literacy students, and materials useful for professional development and in-service trainings with educators. These are all available for free download on our website. The cost of implementation can be calculated based on the salary of a full-time, school-based, mental health professional who is devoted to delivering CBITS. One professional can screen students in the general school population and select students with elevated symptoms, delivering up to 30 CBITS groups.

Program structure

10 group sessions, 1 to 3 individual sessions, 2 parent sessions (groups-based), one teacher education session. Weekly group sessions across 10 weeks.

Instructor

  • Psychologist

Instructor training

A 5-hour online training course is available through our website. In-person trainings can be arranged and typically span 2 days (12 hours)

Supporting resources or materials available with program

  • Manual
  • Online webinars
  • Workbook

Ongoing support

Available with certified trainers, for a fee.

Parent involvement

  • Attend information sessions
  • Follow-up information provided after program
  • Written information provided to parents

Origin of program

International

RAND Corporation

Program authors

Lisa Jaycox, Audra Langley, Sharon Hoover

Address
1200 South Hayes St, Arlington VA 22202, United States of America (USA)
Phone
0011 (703) 413 1100 ; extension 5118
Email
jaycox@rand.org
website
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Ratings

3/4 Evidence
2/4 Implementation

Summary of evidence factors

This is a summary of the evaluation or research study characteristics that contribute to the program’s evidence rating.

Positive impact on at least one outcome for children and/or young people? Yes
Link between program description and theory of change Some links
Study design Randomised control trial
Independence Semi

Summary of implementation factors

This is a summary of the program’s characteristics that contribute to its implementation rating.

Feedback sought from participants No
Feedback sought from instructors No
Groups program is not suitable for Assessed and reported
Training provided during study Face to face, all instructors, in person
Ongoing instructor support provided during study Yes

Context

This is a summary of the context in which the evidence for the program was established.

Study Participants

Primary school
Country of Study/s

International
Evaluation of program in culturally and linguistically diverse populations No
Evaluation of program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people No
Evaluation of program in low socioeconomic groups No
Developmental based adaptations to program design and delivery No
Evaluation of program in children and young people with disability and/or learning difference No

Last updated: 15 August 2022