TF CBT CERT EXAM 2026 REVISION NOTES
AND STRUCTURED TRAUMA THERAPY
OVERVIEW GUIDE
◉ how many sessions Answer: typically 12-20
◉ What principles does it draw from? Answer: incorporates
interventions and techniques based on cognitive, behavioral, family
therapy, and humanistic principles.
◉ goals of TF-CBT Answer: 1) to learn effective skills to cope with
trauma-related emotional and behavioral problems
2) to face and resolve those problems in a safe and therapeutic way,
and
3) to effectively integrate their trauma experiences and help them
move on with their lives in a safe and positive manner.
◉ TF-CBT also improves caregiver... Answer: support of the child,
parenting skills, and parent-child communication.
,◉ TF-CBT is designed to reduce symptoms of... Answer:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma-related depression,
anxiety, and behavior problems, and common trauma-related
cognitive and emotional problems such as fear, shame,
embarrassment, guilt, and self-blame
◉ Age range of TF-CBT? Answer: 3-18
◉ Demographic Characteristics Answer: Children from any racial,
ethnic, cultural, or country of origin group living in urban, suburban
or rural areas. To date, there is no demographic group of
traumatized children or youth for which TF-CBT has been found to
be ineffective.
◉ Does child have to meet PTSD criteria? Answer: no
◉ Co-morbid Diagnoses: Answer: TF-CBT can be used successfully
with traumatized children and youth with co-occurring difficulties
such as ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder.
◉ Parent/Caregiver Involvement: Answer: Having a supportive
parent or other caregiver such as a grandparent, other kinship
caregiver, or foster parent involved in treatment is highly desirable.
While TF-CBT can be done with children without a supportive
caregiver, substantial parts of the treatment will be lost. Every effort
,should be made to locate and engage a supportive parent or other
caregiver in the treatment process.
◉ Can you move forward in treatment without a caregiver? Answer:
Yes, but some parts of the treatment will be lost
◉ Who is TF-CBT not for? Answer: - no trauma
- no trauma related problems
- Severe cognitive challenges (TF-CBT can be used with children and
youth who have intellectual, cognitive, or other developmental
problems if their level of functioning allows them to engage in and
benefit from a cognitive therapy)
◉ Problems to manage prior to beginning TF-CBT Answer: 1.
Imminent safety. A child or youth is in a seriously dangerous
environment that prevents engagement in trauma treatment.
2. Severe disruptive or aggressive behavior problems. A child or
youth is exhibiting a high level of disruptive or aggressive behavior
that makes it very difficult to focus on trauma treatment.
, 3. Active suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation should be managed
prior to beginning trauma treatment.
4. Active, problematic substance use. Infrequent substance use that
is not interfering with daily functioning would not rule out using TF-
CBT. However, heavy use that clearly is affecting a youth's
functioning should be addressed prior to beginning TF-CBT.
◉ Guiding Principles of TF-CBT: acronym Answer: CRAFTS
◉ Guiding Principles of TF-CBT: CRAFTS Answer: Components
based
Respectful of cultural values
Adaptable and flexible
Family focused
Therapeutic relationship is central
Self-efficacy is emphasized
AND STRUCTURED TRAUMA THERAPY
OVERVIEW GUIDE
◉ how many sessions Answer: typically 12-20
◉ What principles does it draw from? Answer: incorporates
interventions and techniques based on cognitive, behavioral, family
therapy, and humanistic principles.
◉ goals of TF-CBT Answer: 1) to learn effective skills to cope with
trauma-related emotional and behavioral problems
2) to face and resolve those problems in a safe and therapeutic way,
and
3) to effectively integrate their trauma experiences and help them
move on with their lives in a safe and positive manner.
◉ TF-CBT also improves caregiver... Answer: support of the child,
parenting skills, and parent-child communication.
,◉ TF-CBT is designed to reduce symptoms of... Answer:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma-related depression,
anxiety, and behavior problems, and common trauma-related
cognitive and emotional problems such as fear, shame,
embarrassment, guilt, and self-blame
◉ Age range of TF-CBT? Answer: 3-18
◉ Demographic Characteristics Answer: Children from any racial,
ethnic, cultural, or country of origin group living in urban, suburban
or rural areas. To date, there is no demographic group of
traumatized children or youth for which TF-CBT has been found to
be ineffective.
◉ Does child have to meet PTSD criteria? Answer: no
◉ Co-morbid Diagnoses: Answer: TF-CBT can be used successfully
with traumatized children and youth with co-occurring difficulties
such as ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder.
◉ Parent/Caregiver Involvement: Answer: Having a supportive
parent or other caregiver such as a grandparent, other kinship
caregiver, or foster parent involved in treatment is highly desirable.
While TF-CBT can be done with children without a supportive
caregiver, substantial parts of the treatment will be lost. Every effort
,should be made to locate and engage a supportive parent or other
caregiver in the treatment process.
◉ Can you move forward in treatment without a caregiver? Answer:
Yes, but some parts of the treatment will be lost
◉ Who is TF-CBT not for? Answer: - no trauma
- no trauma related problems
- Severe cognitive challenges (TF-CBT can be used with children and
youth who have intellectual, cognitive, or other developmental
problems if their level of functioning allows them to engage in and
benefit from a cognitive therapy)
◉ Problems to manage prior to beginning TF-CBT Answer: 1.
Imminent safety. A child or youth is in a seriously dangerous
environment that prevents engagement in trauma treatment.
2. Severe disruptive or aggressive behavior problems. A child or
youth is exhibiting a high level of disruptive or aggressive behavior
that makes it very difficult to focus on trauma treatment.
, 3. Active suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation should be managed
prior to beginning trauma treatment.
4. Active, problematic substance use. Infrequent substance use that
is not interfering with daily functioning would not rule out using TF-
CBT. However, heavy use that clearly is affecting a youth's
functioning should be addressed prior to beginning TF-CBT.
◉ Guiding Principles of TF-CBT: acronym Answer: CRAFTS
◉ Guiding Principles of TF-CBT: CRAFTS Answer: Components
based
Respectful of cultural values
Adaptable and flexible
Family focused
Therapeutic relationship is central
Self-efficacy is emphasized
