Two therapy approaches for children with trauma and PTSD

This study is testing two proven therapy approaches — Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) — to help children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and are dealing with PTSD symptoms. The research team wants to understand how well each treatment works, especially for families who are also dealing with stress from racism and cultural adjustment. You and your child would work with therapists trained in one of these two approaches.

Many children experience trauma, but treatment needs to consider the whole picture of their lives — including the added stress that comes from racism and major life changes like moving to a new country. This study will help doctors understand which therapy approach works best for different families and how to better support healing when multiple sources of stress are involved.