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Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools

CBITS is a skills-based, group intervention for middle and high school students who have been exposed to traumatic events and have symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). CBITS aims to reduce PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and improve social and academic functioning. CBITS includes students who have experienced or witnessed a range of traumatic events including community, family, or school violence, natural disasters, abuse, neglect, or traumatic separation from a loved one. Students learn skills in affect regulation, relaxation, challenging maladaptive thoughts and problem solving, and work on processing traumatic memories and grief. These skills are learned through experiential learning in individual and group sessions. Between sessions, students complete assignments and participate in activities that reinforce the skills they’ve learned. CBITS also includes parent and teacher education sessions. Updated 2024.

Acronym: 
CBITS
Targeted Populations: 
students 10-18, parents, caregivers; for children who have experienced a wide range of traumas
Published in 2012