A Statewide Common Elements Initiative for Children's Mental Health

J Behav Health Serv Res. 2016 Apr;43(2):246-61. doi: 10.1007/s11414-014-9430-y.

Abstract

Many evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for child and adolescent mental health disorders have been developed, but few are available in public mental health settings. This paper describes initial implementation outcomes for a state-funded effort in Washington State to increase EBT availability, via a common elements training and consultation approach focused on four major problem areas (anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and behavioral problems). Clinicians (N = 180) reported significant improvement in their ability to assess and treat all problem areas at post-consultation. Clinicians from organizations with a supervisor-level "EBT champion" had higher baseline scores on a range of outcomes, but many differences disappeared at post-consultation. Outcomes suggest that a common elements initiative, which includes training and consultation, may positively impact clinician-level outcomes and that having "in-house" EBT expertise may provide additional benefits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Evidence-Based Practice*
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Mental Health*