{"title":"Lay Counselor Delivery of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): A Systematic Review.","authors":"Laura B Godfrey, Nevita George, Amy Hyoeun Lee","doi":"10.1007/s40653-026-00852-z","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lay counselor delivery of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) may be a promising strategy to increase access to trauma-focused care and prevent trauma-related health disparities among youth in low-resource settings in the United States. This pre-registered systematic review sought to synthesize <i>how</i> TF-CBT has been tailored for lay counselor delivery globally, which can inform broader dissemination. Specifically, we examined (1) the modification process, (2) treatment modifications, and (3) implementation strategies (e.g., training and supervision) to support lay counselor delivery of TF-CBT. In May 2024, a literature search was conducted across PsycINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE, and PILOTS. Grey literature was identified through Google Scholar and ProQuest. A narrative synthesis summarized findings by research question. Ten trials (21 articles) met inclusion criteria and described modifications or implementation strategies for lay counselor-delivered TF-CBT. All trials implemented culturally tailored versions of TF-CBT, with most (90%) conducted in low- and middle-income countries. The modification process relied on input from local experts through community-researcher collaborations. TF-CBT modifications were contextual (e.g., modality) or surface-level (e.g., language), with no trials reporting modifications to core components. Implementation strategies included enhancing training and supervision, addressing implementation barriers, and preserving counselor wellbeing. Findings suggest that TF-CBT can be successfully delivered by lay counselors with peripheral modifications, enhanced counselor supports, and strong community partnerships. This review provides a foundation for future research aimed at disseminating lay counselor-delivered TF-CBT in low-resource settings - a critical direction to close the mental health treatment gap and promote health equity in the United States and globally.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-026-00852-z.</p>","PeriodicalId":44763,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma","volume":"19 3","pages":"1645-1663"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2026-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13546183/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-026-00852-z","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/9/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"FAMILY STUDIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Lay counselor delivery of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) may be a promising strategy to increase access to trauma-focused care and prevent trauma-related health disparities among youth in low-resource settings in the United States. This pre-registered systematic review sought to synthesize how TF-CBT has been tailored for lay counselor delivery globally, which can inform broader dissemination. Specifically, we examined (1) the modification process, (2) treatment modifications, and (3) implementation strategies (e.g., training and supervision) to support lay counselor delivery of TF-CBT. In May 2024, a literature search was conducted across PsycINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE, and PILOTS. Grey literature was identified through Google Scholar and ProQuest. A narrative synthesis summarized findings by research question. Ten trials (21 articles) met inclusion criteria and described modifications or implementation strategies for lay counselor-delivered TF-CBT. All trials implemented culturally tailored versions of TF-CBT, with most (90%) conducted in low- and middle-income countries. The modification process relied on input from local experts through community-researcher collaborations. TF-CBT modifications were contextual (e.g., modality) or surface-level (e.g., language), with no trials reporting modifications to core components. Implementation strategies included enhancing training and supervision, addressing implementation barriers, and preserving counselor wellbeing. Findings suggest that TF-CBT can be successfully delivered by lay counselors with peripheral modifications, enhanced counselor supports, and strong community partnerships. This review provides a foundation for future research aimed at disseminating lay counselor-delivered TF-CBT in low-resource settings - a critical direction to close the mental health treatment gap and promote health equity in the United States and globally.
Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-026-00852-z.
期刊介绍:
Underpinned by a biopsychosocial approach, the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma presents original research and prevention and treatment strategies for understanding and dealing with symptoms and disorders related to the psychological effects of trauma experienced by children and adolescents during childhood and where the impact of these experiences continues into adulthood. The journal also examines intervention models directed toward the individual, family, and community, new theoretical models and approaches, and public policy proposals and innovations. In addition, the journal promotes rigorous investigation and debate on the human capacity for agency, resilience and longer-term healing in the face of child and adolescent trauma. With a multidisciplinary approach that draws input from the psychological, medical, social work, sociological, public health, legal and education fields, the journal features research, intervention approaches and evidence-based programs, theoretical articles, specific review articles, brief reports and case studies, and commentaries on current and/or controversial topics. The journal also encourages submissions from less heard voices, for example in terms of geography, minority status or service user perspectives.
Among the topics examined in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma:
The effects of childhood maltreatment
Loss, natural disasters, and political conflict
Exposure to or victimization from family or community violence
Racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation or class discrimination
Physical injury, diseases, and painful or debilitating medical treatments
The impact of poverty, social deprivation and inequality
Barriers and facilitators on pathways to recovery
The Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma is an important resource for practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and academics whose work is centered on children exposed to traumatic events and adults exposed to traumatic events as children.