About the Free Training provided as part of this study
Counselors and graduate students can receive free training and coaching on family therapy skills and competencies as part of a study funded by the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH). This study compares two training methods and is a unique opportunity to gain experience in an evidence-based individual and family therapy for adolescents and families.
Culturally Informed and Flexible Family-Based Treatment for Adolescents (CIFFTA) is a multi-component family-based treatment designed for diverse youth and families. CIFFTA’s adaptive approach integrates individual, family, and psychoeducational interventions tailored to each family’s unique clinical and cultural characteristics. It is culturally informed because it integrates cultural themes (e.g., discrimination, acculturation, and immigration-related stressors), and it is family based with a focus on core family processes (e.g., blended families, family cohesion/conflict), and adolescent symptoms (e.g., self-harm, substance misuse, behavior problems).
The Family Therapy Training and Implementation Platform (FTTIP) represents the future of training, and utilizes cutting edge technology, such as the use of adaptive training, animated clinical simulations, opportunity to practice new skills in front of animated families, and personalized expert feedback. This study compares the online platform to live training with an expert. Each trainee is also offered 12 hours of training and 16 weeks of coaching and implementation support.
Study Criteria
To qualify, participants must:
- Have a Master’s degree, or be a student in a Masters degree program, or a Bachelor’s degree with two years of experience counseling youth/emerging adults and families
- Willing to participate in 12 hours of training
- Be willing to take the 18-week training and coaching program
Why Participate?
Participants will learn state of the art skills and competencies and there is no cost to participate. Participants will receive 12 hours of training in the CIFFTA evidence- based treatment, as well as bi-weekly coaching on the treatment. Participants will complete two brief assessments and interviews about their experience and work with families, with a $100 incentive for the assessments and interviews.
