Alternatives for Families: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

AF-CBT is designed to improve the relationships between children and parents/caregivers in families. It is most suitable for school-aged children (age 5-17) who exhibit some level of behavioral or emotional dysfunction, and for caregivers who may resort to uncomfortable or unsafe levels of physical coercion, harsh punishment or hostile exchanges. Two randomized trials have shown it to be superior to routine community care (generalized counseling) for reducing children’s conduct and oppositional behaviors, as well as in reducing internalizing symptoms. Further, parents who receive AF-CBT demonstrate significantly greater decreases in the use of physical discipline and in anger at post-treatment as compared to those in routine community care