Group Combined Parent-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Group Combined Parent-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Group CPC-CBT) is designed for families with children ages 3–17 in which parents are at-risk of engaging in or have already engaged in abusive behavior towards their children. Group CPC-CBT aims to help children heal from abusive experiences, empower parents, strengthen caregiver-child relationships, and enhance family safety. The model supports parents who engage in a continuum of coercive parenting behaviors, ranging from verbal threats to unsubstantiated or substantiated physical abuse. All caregivers in the child’s life (e.g., biological parents, foster parents, grandparents) and siblings are encouraged to participate in the program. Unlike Individual CPC-CBT, Group CPC-CBT involves treating multiple families together.
In Group CPC-CBT, co-clinicians deliver the program to groups of up to five families. Prior to beginning Group CPC-CBT, clinicians screen families to determine which feelings and behaviors should be addressed during treatment. Each Group CPC-CBT session begins with content delivered separately to parents and children, followed by a joint activity for families. Group CPC-CBT allows parents and children to socialize, receive feedback, and role-play with each other during the respective parent and child sessions before coming together as families during the joint session time. The amount of time spent jointly in each session increases as the program continues.
After screening, families progress through the four phases of Group CPC-CBT: Engagement, Skill Building, Safety, and Clarification. Throughout the parent sessions, the clinician uses motivational interviewing and teaches parenting skills, such as effective communication, positive parenting, and behavior management skills. During the Engagement Phase (Sessions 1–3), clinicians work to engage parents and children in the program by building rapport, enhancing commitment, and motivating parents to comply with treatment. Clinicians provide education to parents and children about child development and the impact of violent behavior on children. During the Skill Building Phase (Sessions 4–7), clinicians train parents and children to use effective coping skills. During the Safety Phase (Sessions 8–11), clinicians help families develop safety plans to help everyone in the home remain calm and safe during an escalating interaction between family members. During the Clarification Phase (Sessions 12–16), clinicians help children process their abuse by helping children develop a trauma narrative. Clinicians then help parents write letters to their children taking responsibility for the abuse.
Group CPC-CBT does not currently meet criteria to receive a rating because no studies met eligibility criteria for review.
Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Mar 2023
Sources
The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information were informed by the following sources: the program or service manual, the program or service developer’s website, and the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the Review Process page or download the Handbook.
Target Population
Group CPC-CBT is designed for families with children ages 3–17 in which parents are at-risk of engaging in or who already engaged in abusive behavior towards their children. In Group CPC-CBT, the term “parents” refers to any primary adult caretakers, such as biological parents, foster parents, grandparents, or other caregivers. Group CPC-CBT can be used when the child remains in the home, when the child has been removed from the home with a plan for reunification, and when the child has been removed from the home and resides with other caretakers such as foster parents, kinship caregivers, or grandparents. Group CPC-CBT should not be used for families where there is no plan for reunification, the child functions at a developmental age younger than 3, or the parent has sexually abused the child.
Dosage
Group CPC-CBT is typically delivered in 16–20 weekly sessions. Co-clinicians deliver Group CPC-CBT to groups of up to five families. Group CPC-CBT sessions are typically 2 hours long. Each session consists of separately delivered content for parents and children followed by joint parent-child content. The co-clinicians typically provide coaching for individual families during each joint parent-child session. If clinicians need more sessions to deliver the content to families, they can extend the number of sessions.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
Clinicians can deliver Group CPC-CBT in-person in an outpatient clinic or through a community-based agency.
Education, Certifications and Training
CPC-CBT clinicians must have at least a master’s degree in a mental health field and familiarity with cognitive behavioral therapy, evidence-based family engagement strategies, and motivational interviewing.
There are two types of training for clinicians, both at the agency level.
Training Option 1 is a formal learning community with other agencies. This option involves three 2-day in-person learning sessions over 8–12 months with 12 consultation calls once the agency starts implementing the program for the first time. Trainers conduct calls with agency leadership and supervisors to address barriers and promote CPC-CBT sustainability within the agency.
Training Option 2 includes a 3-day in-person training on the program model. Trainers provide 12 consultation calls once the agency starts implementing the program for the first time. Trainers conduct calls with agency leadership and supervisors to address barriers and promote CPC-CBT sustainability within the agency. Additionally, clinicians can participate in a 2-day advanced training program after the model has been implemented to learn more advanced concepts.
Additional consultation and a Train-the-Trainers training are also available.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
The following two resources are used to implement Group CPC-CBT:
Runyon, M. K., & Deblinger, E. (2004). Combined Parent-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A group session-by-session guide for co-facilitators (Parent version). Child Abuse Research Education and Service Institute.
Runyon, M. K., & Deblinger, E. (2004). Combined Parent-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A group session-by-session guide for co-facilitators (Child version). Child Abuse Research Education and Service Institute.
Available languages
Group CPC-CBT manuals are available in English.
Other supporting materials
For More Information
Website: melissarunyon.com
Phone: (609) 247-5273
Email: MelissaRunyonphd@gmail.com
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Group Combined Parent-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 3 |
| Eligible for Review | 0 |
| Rated High | 0 |
| Rated Moderate | 0 |
| Rated Low | 0 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
Studies Not Eligible for Review
Study 14737
Kjellgren, C., Svedin, C., & Nilsson, D. (2013). Child physical abuse—Experiences of combined treatment for children and their parents: A pilot study. Child Care in Practice, 19(3), 275-290. https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2013.785934
This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4).
Study 14738
Runyon, M. K., Deblinger, E., & Schroeder, C. M. (2009). Pilot evaluation of outcomes of Combined Parent-Child Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for families at risk for child physical abuse. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 16(1), 101-118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2008.09.006
Runyon, M. K., Deblinger, E., & Schroeder, C. M. (2009). Corrigendum to: ‘Pilot evaluation of outcomes of Combined Parent-Child Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for families at-risk for child physical abuse’. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 16(3), 363-363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2009.02.001
This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4).
Study 14739
Runyon, M. K., Deblinger, E., & Steer, R. A. (2010). Group cognitive behavioral treatment for parents and children at-risk for physical abuse: An initial study. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 32(3), 196-218. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317107.2010.500515
This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Study Eligibility Criterion 4.1.4).