Optimizing Behavioral Health Services Following Pediatric Trauma Exposure
The goal of this clinical trial is to test the extent to which different treatment components work to improve pediatric post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It will also provide evidence for how these components work. The main research questions are: What are the effects of different components used to treat PTSD? What do these components change to produce benefits in PTSD? Researchers will: Compare components to a psychological placebo to estimate their effects and measure how they work Examine how components work alone and in conjunction with other components Participants will: Receive different combinations of components and placebo Attend weekly treatment sessions Provide information to evaluate changes in PTSD
• A child between the ages of 8-17 exposed to at least one DSM-defined trauma
• Child assent for participation
• The participation of a caregiver with custodial rights to provide parental permission
• Willing to participate in treatment delivery and respond to surveys
• Meet PTSD diagnostic criteria that is the result of exposure to at least one of the identified traumas
• Ability to read and understand English
• Willingness to be randomized to an experimental condition
• Placement in a stable caregiving environment for two months without an impending transition
• Children currently taking psychotropic medications must have taken the medicine without dose adjustment for two months prior to study entry.
• Caregiver or child with a smartphone capable of downloading a freely available software application.