Recruiting

TF-CBT

Sponsor:

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Code:

NCT07420478

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

PTSD and Trauma-related Symptoms

Autism

Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Mental Health Services

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 6+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, modified for autistic youth

Study Details

Brief summary:

Compared to the general population, autistic youth are at increased risk for both exposure to potentially traumatic events and trauma-related symptoms following trauma exposure. Autistic people identify approaches to effectively addressing trauma as a top mental health research priority, yet providers in community settings often report inadequate training in trauma treatment. The purpose of this study is to conduct an open pilot to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an evidence-based intervention for youth affected by trauma, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), that has been modified for autistic youth served in Community Mental Health Centers.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

PTSD and Trauma-related Symptoms

Autism

Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Mental Health Services

Study ID

NCT07420478

Start date

May 5, 2026

Status verified date

May, 2026

Completion date

Feb 28, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 31, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 6+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria for Therapists

1. Employed as a clinician at a participating Community Mental Health Center (CMHC; publicly-funded mental health program) for at least 6 months.
2. Trained in TF-CBT.
3. Has an eligible autistic youth on current caseload (see below).

Inclusion Criteria for Child Participants

1. Between 6 and 18 years old (up to 17 years, 11 months).
2. Current medical diagnosis of autism.
3. Has a non-offending caregiver who is able to participate in treatment (i.e., caregiver who is not the perpetrator of the abuse/other trauma).
4. Initiated outpatient psychotherapy services from participating therapist within enrolled CMHC.
5. A moderate level of trauma-related distress as measured by the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen-2 (CATS-2).

Exclusion Criteria for Child Participants

1\. Does not present with trauma-related distress (score falls within the "Normal" range as measured by the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen-2 Self- and Parent-Report).

Study Design

Enrollment

24 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Health Services Research

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, modified for autistic youth

Autistic youth will receive Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), modified for autistic youth, an evidence-based intervention for youth affected by trauma that has been modified for autistic youth. Enrolled clinicians will receive training in how to modify TF-CBT for autistic youth.

Interventions

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, modified for autistic youth

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment to help children and adolescents recover after trauma. It is a structured, evidence-based treatment model that addresses posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and other trauma-related symptoms. In TF-CBT, modified for autistic youth, clinicians will modify their use of TF-CBT for autistic youth. Clinicians will be trained in how to deliver TF-CBT to autistic youth.

Primary outcome measure

  • Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) [ Time Frame: 6 months after starting implementation ]
  • Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM) [ Time Frame: 6 months after starting implementation ]
  • Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) [ Time Frame: 6 months after starting implementation ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Kaitlyn Ahlers, PhD

603-650-7075kaitlyn.p.ahlers@hitchcock.org

Locations

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Recruiting

Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States, 03756

Contacts

Kaitlyn Ahlers, PhD

603-650-7075kaitlyn.p.ahlers@hitchcock.org

Principal Investigator:

Kaitlyn Ahlers, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Last update posted

May 13, 2026

Last verified

May, 2026

Keywords

  • Autism
  • Trauma
  • PTSD
  • Mental health symptoms
  • TF-CBT
  • Implementation science
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-08. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center on 2026-05-13.