A Follow-Up Study of Kinder Training for Preschool Teachers of Children Deemed At-Risk.

Authors conducted a follow-up study to Post, McAllister, Sheely, Hess, & Flowers (2004) to determine whether a group of teachers who previously had been taught play therapy training skills maintained the skills and empathic responding in individual play sessions and in the classroom one academic year after the original training. The participating teachers were matched with a control group of untrained teachers. Results showed differences between the trained and untrained teachers on the use of play therapy skills and empathetic responses in individual play sessions. There were no differences found between the trained and untrained teachers on the use of play therapy skills and empathic responses in the classroom setting. In addition, the participating teachers reported the usefulness of the training in focus group dialogues, citing that the new skills improved their classroom behaviors, changed their perspective on the value of including children's opinions, and increased their confidence as teachers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive Therapy Versus Fluoxetine in Generalized Social Phobia: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Sixty patients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria for generalized social phobia were assigned to cognitive therapy (CT), fluoxetine plus self-exposure (FLU + SE), or placebo plus self-exposure (PLA + SE). At posttreatment (16 weeks), the medication blind was broken. CT and FLU + SE patients then entered a 3-month booster phase. Assessments were at pretreatment, midtreatment, posttreatment, end of booster phase, and 12-month follow-up. Significant improvements were observed on most measures in all 3 treatments. On measures of social phobia, CT was superior to FLU + SE and PLA + SE at midtreatment and at posttreatment. FLU + SE and PLA + SE did not differ. CT remained superior to FLU + SE at the end of the booster period and at 12-month follow-up. On general mood measures, there were few differences between the treatments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

One-session treatment of specific phobias in youth: A randomized clinical trial in the United States and Sweden.

One hundred and ninety-six youth, ages 7–16, who fulfilled Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) criteria for various specific phobias were randomized to a one-session exposure treatment, education support treatment, or a wait list control group. After the waiting period, the wait list participants were offered treatment and, if interested, rerandomized to 1 of the 2 active treatments. The phobias were assessed with semistructured diagnostic interviews, clinician severity ratings, and behavioral avoidance tests, whereas fears, general anxiety, depression, and behavior problems were assessed with self- and parent report measures. Assessments were completed pretreatment, posttreatment, and at 6 months following treatment. Results showed that both treatment conditions were superior to the wait list control condition and that 1-session exposure treatment was superior to education support treatment on clinician ratings of phobic severity, percentage of participants who were diagnosis free, child ratings of anxiety during the behavioral avoidance test, and treatment satisfaction as reported by the youth and their parents. There were no differences on self-report measures. Treatment effects were maintained at follow-up. Implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Skills training in affective and interpersonal regulation followed by exposure: A phase-based treatment for PTSD related to childhood abuse.

Fifty-eight women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhood abuse were randomly assigned to a 2-phase cognitive-behavioral treatment or a minimal attention wait list. Phase 1 of treatment included 8 weekly sessions of skills training in affect and interpersonal regulation; Phase 2 included 8 sessions of modified prolonged exposure. Compared with those on wait list, participants in active treatment showed significant improvement in affect regulation problems, interpersonal skills deficits, and PTSD symptoms. Gains were maintained at 3- and 9-month follow-up. Phase 1 therapeutic alliance and negative mood regulation skills predicted Phase 2 exposure success in reducing PTSD, suggesting the value of establishing a strong therapeutic relationship and emotion regulation skills before exposure work among chronic PTSD populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sequential Treatment for Child Abuse-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Methodological Comment on Cloitre, Koenen, Cohen, and Han (2002).

M. Cloitre, K. Koenen, L. R. Cohen, and H. Han (2002; see record 2002-18226-001) presented results of a randomized trial that clearly demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a treatment program delivering skills training in affective and interpersonal regulation (STAIR) prior to conducting imaginal exposure (IE) to trauma memories for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhood abuse. In this comment the authors review the results presented by Cloitre et al and specifically compare the impact of the STAIR and IE phases of the treatment on affect regulation and psychopathology measures. Evidence for adverse events associated with exposure therapy is reviewed. The authors emphasize that the present study should not be interpreted as evidence that pretreatment with STAIR is additively helpful or necessary prior to IE for PTSD associated with child abuse and that a between-groups comparison is necessary before such conclusions can be drawn. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treating Life-Impairing Problems Beyond PTSD: Reply to Cahill, Zoellner, Feeny, and Riggs (2004).

This reply to the comment by Cahill, Riggs, Zoellner, and Feeny (2004; see record 2004-95166-018) on the article by Cloitre, Koenen, Cohen, and Han (2002; see record 2002-18226-001) reiterates that an important goal of treatment research among chronically traumatized populations is to address problems that impair life functioning, including not only posttraumatic stress disorder but also emotion regulation difficulties and interpersonal problems. The need for further research on symptom exacerbation and drop-out rates in exposure-based treatment for child abuse survivors is discussed. An ongoing follow-up study is described, which is designed to assess the relative utility of STAIR and modified PE individually versus their combination in meeting "good outcome" standards as defined above. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intensive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Treatment Protocol for Mental Health Providers.

The authors describe a protocol for intensive cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT) for children and adolescents with obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD). After a review of pediatric OCD and efficacious treatments, the rationale for an intensive approach to treatment is provided along with findings in the extant literature. Subsequently, a session by session outline of I-CBT for pediatric OCD is provided. Finally, a case example of this treatment approach is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)