Interventions for Child and Adolescent Depression: Do Professional Therapists Produce Better Results?

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of Child and Family Studies

Volume

14

Issue

2

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Publication Date

2005

First Page

223

Last Page

236

Abstract

We reviewed and analyzed child and adolescent depression treatment studies (1980–2001) through a comprehensive literature search. The outcome data from 19 studies (31 treatments) were extracted and weighted standard mean effect sizes were computed. Outcomes were compared across two levels of therapist training: professional and graduate student. Moreover, age was examined to test for differential effects on treatment outcome. Overall, professionals and graduate student therapists produced impressive yet commensurate outcomes when treating depressed youth. There were no significant differences found when treating children versus adolescents. The implications and limitations are reviewed, as are the suggestions for future research.

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