We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!: Evolution and Revolution in CBT with Youth

• Published in: Journal of rational-emotive and cognitive-behavior therapy Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 4 - 14
• Main Authors: Friedberg, Robert D., Hoyman, Lisa C., Behar, Simone, Tabbarah, Sarah, Pacholec, Nina M., Keller, Marisa, Thordarson, Micaela A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.03.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescents; Anxiety disorders; Behavior modification; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Brain research; Children & youth; Clinical Psychology; Cognitive behaviour therapy; Community and Environmental Psychology; Dissemination; Education; Evolution; Information processing; Neurosciences; Psychiatry; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Public Health; Revolutions; Science; Technology; Palo Alto California; United States > US; Transdiagnostic; Modular; 3rd wave; Affective Neuroscience
• ISSN: 0894-9085; 1573-6563
• DOI: 10.1007/s10942-014-0178-3

As the gold standard in psychotherapy with children and adolescents, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) earned its stripes through the years. CBT evolved from treating individual disorders with single protocols to embracing a modular and transdiagnostic approach. Despite this impressive evolution, CBT initiated a revolution that continues to provide services to patients in this new era. CBT must maintain momentum to fuel progress and drive clinical reform. In this article, the need for training and dissemination are discussed. Revolutionary practices and delivery methods are suggested. CBT continues to push the envelope of revolution by partnering with neuroscience to bridge the gap between brain and body. Integrating findings from neuroscience with CBT-spectrum approaches and non-traditional treatment formats provides theoretical flexibility and additional treatment options for clinicians. Culturally-friendly applications to treat diverse youth and the use of common modules from third wave approaches are suggested. The use of technology such as smartphones, computers, and videogames is encouraged. Offering treatment in non-traditional settings and formats such as CBT-based camp programs is also addressed.