About CBITS
The CBITS program is a school-based, group and individual intervention that uses cognitive-behavioral techniques. It is designed to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and behavioral problems, as well as to improve functioning, grades and attendance, peer and parent support, and coping skills.
CBITS has been used with students in grades 5–12 who have witnessed or experienced traumatic life events, such as community and school violence, accidents and injuries, physical abuse and domestic violence, and natural and human-made disasters.
Extensive research shows that students who participate in CBITS have significantly reduced symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, and psychosocial dysfunction. The program is described in detail by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).
Several groups that assess the quality of mental health interventions recommend CBITS:
CBITS is delivered by mental health professionals in school settings. CBITS is composed of 10 group sessions and one to three individual sessions with students, with optional opportunities for parent involvement and educational outreach to teachers. Since 2001, CBITS has been implemented across the United States and abroad, and it is actively disseminated through SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
CBITS has been adapted in a number of ways. Versions for use with low-literacy groups and children in foster care are available, and the program has been translated into Spanish and Arabic. More recently, the Center for Resiliency, Hope, and Wellness released CBITS for American Indian Youth, an adaptation that weaves in culturally appropriate and meaningful concepts about resilience and healing while maintaining the program’s core cognitive-behavioral skill-building techniques.
CBITS has also been modified for delivery by nonclinicians in a variety of settings (SSET) and for younger elementary school students (Bounce Back).
Clinicians can receive CBITS training through several formats: live trainings (in person or virtual) and online. Although our live trainings with certified trainers are considered the gold-standard training approach, the online training is a great option when a live training is not feasible.
To learn more about our trainings, read our Training Menu. Trainings are available in English and Spanish. Email us for information about scheduling a live training.
CBITS trainers undergo a thorough train-the-trainer process. We are proud to highlight our certified faculty, national trainers, and regional trainers.
| Faculty/National Trainers | National Trainers | Regional Trainers |
|---|---|---|
|
Audra Langley, PhD Lisa Jaycox, PhD Erum Nadeem, PhD Sharon A. Hoover, PhD Kristin Dean, PhD, ABPP |
||
|
Beth Cooney, LCSW Laura Danna, LCSW Marisa Faynsod, LCSW Maria Hu Hydon, DSW Won-Fong Lau Johnson, PhD, NCSP Adriana Rodriguez, PhD |
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Colleen Cicchetti, PhD (Midwest) Tali Raviv, PhD (Midwest) Mashana Smith, PhD (Midwest) Jennifer Wilgocki, LCSW (Midwest) Megan Zimmer (Northeast) Londi Segler, PhD (West) |
CBITS Course
The CBITS course provides trainees with five hours of comprehensive, expert-led, self-paced instruction designed to build the knowledge and skills needed to confidently deliver the intervention. Through practical instruction and examples, providers learn how to apply the core components of CBITS in school-based settings. One-year access allows providers to complete the training at their own pace and revisit course content as needed to support ongoing implementation.
Trainees who successfully complete the course are eligible to receive 5 CE credit hours.
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CBITS Course
The CBITS course provides trainees with five hours of comprehensive, expert-led, self-paced instruction designed to build the knowledge and skills needed to confidently deliver the intervention. Through practical instruction and examples, providers learn how to apply the core components of CBITS in school-based settings. One-year access allows providers to complete the training at their own pace and revisit course content as needed to support ongoing implementation.
Trainees who successfully complete the course are eligible to receive 5 CE credit hours.
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CBITS Implementation Slides
Designed for providers to use session by session throughout CBITS group delivery, these student-friendly visual slide decks make sessions more engaging, structured, and easier to deliver. A separate deck accompanies each CBITS session, providing visual prompts that reinforce key concepts and increase student engagement. This resource is also designed to support fidelity to the CBITS model by providing structure and guidance that promotes consistent, high-quality delivery.
Integrate these slide decks into your CBITS groups to strengthen your delivery, engage students, and help ensure each session reflects the core components of the CBITS model.
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