Examining Multilevel Correlates of Therapist Participation in Learning Collaborative Training Requirements for Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Abstract

Trauma exposure is prevalent among youth and associated with adverse outcomes. While evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for trauma-exposed youth exist, widespread dissemination into community practice is challenged by clinicians’ abilities to engage in EBT training. These challenges stem from many individual, agency, and neighborhood-level factors. This study utilized data from 231 therapists who participated in a statewide Learning Collaborative (LC) on TF-CBT to explore how individual, agency, and neighborhood-level factors may influence their level of participation in the training requirements. Preliminary results indicated that agencies in resource-deprived neighborhoods were associated with having therapists with more PTSD experience, but also reduced interagency collaboration and less use of agency-level trauma-informed practices. In contrast, therapists in neighborhoods with higher violent crime rates were reported to have less experience with trauma-exposed youth, yet their agencies had fewer reported community barriers, increased interagency collaboration, and more agency-level trauma-informed care. Finally, agency-level correlates of LC training participation suggest that agencies face a delicate balance in managing different aspects of evidence-based practices (EBPs) care and EBTs. Findings emphasize considering contextual factors when disseminating EBTs, as ensuring an optimal environment for training participation ultimately addresses growing mental health disparities for trauma-exposed youth.