Our Program
Since 2017, we have been providing free TF-CBT services to youth aged 3-17 and their caregivers living in Miami-Dade County with funding from The Children’s Trust. This includes 12-25 sessions (3 per month for 3 – 6 months) that can take place at FIU’s Main Campus (MMC), the Alliance for LGBTQIA+ Youth in the Children’s Village in Overtown, virtually online, or at youths’ own home.
Our clinicians specialize in TF-CBT and speak English and Spanish. Caregiver (e.g., supportive parent/caregiver, foster parent, case worker) involvement is required and crucial for TF-CBT to be most effective. Youth do not need a prior PTSD diagnosis to enroll in our program.
No insurance or payment is required.
Our clinicians specialize in TF-CBT and speak English and Spanish. Caregiver (e.g., supportive parent/caregiver, foster parent, case worker) involvement is required and crucial for TF-CBT to be most effective. Youth do not need a prior PTSD diagnosis to enroll in our program.
No insurance or payment is required.
To learn more, please visit the TF-CBT official website.
What is TF-CBT?
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment designed to help youth (3 – 18 years old) overcome symptoms related to a traumatic experience. TF-CBT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (or “talk therapy”) that focuses on treating trauma symptoms by changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. As an evidence-based treatment, there is strong research evidence supporting the effectiveness of TF-CBT, and it is considered the gold standard trauma treatment for youth.
What is Trauma?
A traumatic event is a “psychologically distressing event that is outside the range of usual human experience” (Child Academy, 2022) that causes a long-lasting feeling of significant fear, distress, helplessness and an intense and prolonged stress response. Together, the traumatic event and a person’s reaction to it can negatively affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, and ability to cope in healthy ways.
Traumatic events can include abuse and neglect; physical and sexual abuse; domestic violence; grief and loss; natural disasters; or major accidents. Even witnessing these experiences can have long-lasting effects on youth.
Youth suffering from the effects of trauma can experience a variety of symptoms, including depression, anxiety, or irritability; “flashbacks” or intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event; and have difficulty maintaining relationships, communication, or concentration." People who experience the same traumatic event may develop different symptoms. Please reach out if a child you know is being impacted by trauma. Our clinicians are here to help!
How to Enroll
Interested in enrolling your child? Sign up on our secure Self Referral Portal, or contact the Program Coordinator, Kristen Vazquez, via phone (305-348-5885) or email (krivazqu@fiu.edu), or call the CCF Front Desk (305-348-0477).