CFI and WCF: Dedicated to Evidence-Based Practice Every Step of the Way
CFI is an evidence-based practice, meaning we utilize targeted treatment approaches that have been scientifically-proven to improve specific mental and/or behavioral health outcomes (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). In line with our commitment to data-driven care, CFI engages in the client-centered approach of systematic progress monitoring through which we use real-time data, collected via routine, in-session assessments, to inform individualized treatment planning.
While receiving care through CFI, clinicians will routinely measure anxiety, depression, and behavioral symptoms, as well as the strength of therapeutic alliance (the relationship between the therapist and the patient). Parents and/or caregivers of child patients will also be asked to complete caregiver-report measures – meaning from the parent/caregiver perspective – of the same measures a child’s clinician is implementing in session. Parents/caregivers will be sent these assessments through our Electronic Health Record System, My Best Practice. Routine assessment is part of our standard of care because it enables clinicians to actively and systematically track patient progress, and amend individualized treatment plans according to that progress, while continuously strengthening their relationships with their patients. Our clinicians also utilize assessment outcomes to inform recommendations for appointment frequency and therapy cessation.
A key element to our comprehensive program evaluation, and organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, is assessing the cultural sensitivity of our staff. Throughout treatment, each patient (and/or caregiver of a child patient) will also receive our Client Cultural Sensitivity and Satisfaction Questionnaire which assesses patient (and parent/caregiver) perceptions of their (or their child’s) therapist’s support of and respect for their culture, opinions, beliefs, gender identity, sexual identity, and whether they effectively communicated with patients in their preferred language(s).
Cultural sensitivity, and the integration of cultural beliefs and values into the therapeutic process, is essential to building strong therapeutic alliance and to providing effective therapeutic intervention. We conduct routine assessment of our staff’s performance in this domain to understand where we are doing well, and where improvements must be made, so we can offer the best possible quality of care to anyone who walks through our doors. At The Child & Family Institute, we strive to provide a warm, safe space for our patients to be authentically themselves and aim to foster an environment defined by continuous learning, growing, and collaboration.
The Equity and Effectiveness Scientific Council
By J. Ryan Fuller, Ph.D
The Child & Family Institute and its sister nonprofit, the Weissman Children’s Foundation (WCF), recently launched an Equity and Effectiveness Scientific Council (EESC) to explore the most effective treatments for children who need it the most. This can include kids who are minorities, live in rural areas, or lack the financial resources. While there are evidence-based therapies to treat anxiety, depression, and even trauma, the barriers to treatment can seem insurmountable. Many families simply are not aware of where to get treatment, how to connect to the right treatment or to therapists with the right training, or how to access treatment due to financial, time or transportation constraints.
As a clinical psychologist, I have long been interested in finding the answer to this question: “How can we reach as many clinicians as possible, where they are, and give them the tools, resources and support to provide the best care to those in need?” After considering different approaches, I decided the best path forward was to develop software to guide therapists to use the best in-session practices, collect data to improve practice and, by connecting with other users, build community and facilitate ongoing learning.
Then I met Dr. Adam Weissman, who had another idea for how to help as many children and families as possible. Like me, he was passionate about broadly sharing therapies grounded in scientific research. Adam had successfully created models to train therapists efficiently in this kind of care through CFI, which with a number of offices in various states provided many people with effective treatment. We recognized our shared vision, common goals and complementary, though somewhat different, approaches.
With the launch of EESC, a team of generous, brilliant treatment developers and mental health advocates have joined our team of sharp, talented and dedicated CFI staff and volunteers. Together, we are planning a number of programmatic research projects that can both provide immediate, free care to children suffering from anxiety and depression and help us learn how to improve our practice over time.For example, EESC researchers are soon to study the effectiveness of “behavioral activation,” an evidence-based treatment commonly used to treat depression, along with more general cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). We will also look at technologies for therapists to use for teletherapy and to store electronic health records.
In this way, the EESC is committed to providing and improving the best care possible for everyone, especially to ensure underserved kids have access to wonderful therapists using the best techniques possible, no matter the child’s circumstances. That’s our mission.
