TF-CBT is a conjoint child and parent psychotherapy approach for youth who are experiencing significant emotional and behavioral challenges due to traumatic life events. It is a treatment model that incorporates trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive behavioral, family, and humanistic principles and techniques. Children and parents learn new skills to help process thoughts and feelings related to traumatic life events; manage and resolve distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related traumatic life events; and enhance safety, growth, parenting skills, and family communication.

TF-CBT has proved successful with children and adolescents (ages 3 to 18) who have significant emotional problems related to traumatic life events. This treatment can be used with children and adolescents who have experienced a single trauma or multiple traumas in their life. Children or adolescents experiencing traumatic grief can also benefit from this treatment.