Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treating Traumatized Children in an Underserved Region: An Outcome Study

Abstract

As childhood trauma can negatively impact a youth physically, mentally, and emotionally, it is imperative that they receive adequate post-trauma mental health care as soon as possible. For youth living in rural, underserved areas, however, various barriers limit their access to needed mental health services. When these youths are able to receive mental health care for their traumatic experience, the treatments they receive are typically ineffective in reducing their symptoms. This study examined the individuals that received trauma-focused therapies at a Child Advocacy Center located in a mental health provider shortage area. Descriptive analyses were used to identify differences in participants and examine the therapeutic outcomes of the trauma-focused therapies they received.

Female participants were found to be significantly older then male participants. Multiple traumatic experiences were reported by male participants at a significantly higher rate than in female participants and participants who reported experiencing only sexual abuse were significantly older than participants who experiences other types of trauma (i.e., physical abuse or multiple types of traumas). A paired-sample t-test of pre and post-treatment assessments found significant decreases in four of the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children scale. These findings suggest that youth living in the Brazos Valley benefit from the trauma-focused therapies provided by Scotty’s House Bravoes Valley Child Advocacy Center. This study provides information on the limitations of this investigation and suggestions for future research.