Project BEST Co-Director
Professor and Clinical Psychologist | RRFT Developer
Project BEST Co-Director
RRFT was developed by Dr. Carla Kmett Danielson to address the complex and often interconnected needs of trauma-exposed adolescents. The model integrates evidence-based interventions for trauma, substance use, family functioning, and health-risk behaviors into a comprehensive treatment approach supported by clinical research.
It is an evidence-based, trauma-focused treatment designed for adolescents who have experienced trauma and are also struggling with related emotional, behavioral, or health-risk concerns. RRFT integrates treatment for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD), substance use, depression, risky sexual behaviors, and other health-risk behaviors within a single, integrated therapy approach. Rather than treating these concerns separately, RRFT addresses them together while actively involving caregivers throughout treatment.
RRFT differs from many trauma-focused treatments by addressing trauma symptoms alongside substance use and other high-risk behaviors within one integrated model. Rather than referring youth to multiple providers or treatment programs, RRFT provides a coordinated framework that helps adolescents and caregivers address multiple concerns concurrently.
RRFT was designed for adolescents, ages 12–17, who have experienced trauma and are experiencing clinically significant trauma symptoms along with substance use and/or other co-occurring risk behavior such as risky sexual behaviors, self-harming behaviors, or running away.
RRFT is best suited for clinicians who regularly provide therapy to adolescents with trauma histories and who are interested in integrating treatment for trauma, substance use (including substance use disorders), and other co-occurring health-risk behaviors. Participants should anticipate carrying appropriate RRFT cases during the implementation period, be willing to actively participate in consultation and implementation activities, and have agency support to incorporate RRFT into their clinical practice. Clinicians who are actively working with adolescents and are committed to implementing a new evidence-based treatment model will benefit most from the Learning Collaborative.
Successful implementation requires organizational commitment in addition to clinician training. Agencies should be prepared to support clinician participation in all of the training activities. (i.e., Learning Sessions/consultation calls/training cases); provide access to appropriate referrals; designate a participating clinical supervisor or senior leader; and collaborate in implementation planning and sustainability efforts. Agencies that support protected training time, manageable caseloads, and ongoing supervision are best positioned for successful implementation.
RRFT is an advanced trauma-focused treatment designed for clinicians who have successfully completed TF-CBT training and have experience providing TF-CBT with adolescents. Because RRFT builds upon trauma-focused treatment principles, participants should already be comfortable assessing and treating trauma before expanding their skills to include substance use, family systems, risk reduction, and other adolescent health-risk behaviors.
The Learning Collaborative is intended for licensed or license-eligible behavioral health professionals who provide psychotherapy to adolescents and whose organizations are committed to implementing RRFT. Participants should have an active adolescent caseload, anticipate working with appropriate RRFT clients during the implementation period, and have support from both their agency and a participating supervisor or senior leader.
The Learning Collaborative may not be the best fit for clinicians who are new to trauma-focused treatments, do not currently work with adolescents, are unable to participate in the workshop training, consultation calls, and other implementation activities, do not anticipate having appropriate RRFT cases, or whose agencies are not yet prepared to support implementation. Because the Learning Collaborative emphasizes active implementation rather than observation, participants should be prepared to integrate RRFT into their practice during the training period.
The Learning Collaborative is an implementation-focused training program rather than a stand-alone workshop. Participants should expect to attend Learning Sessions, actively implement RRFT with adolescents, participate in ongoing consultation, complete implementation activities between sessions, and collaborate with supervisors and senior leaders to support successful implementation within their organizations.
Participants should plan to dedicate time for Learning Sessions, consultation calls, case preparation, implementation activities, documentation, and treatment of RRFT clients throughout the Learning Collaborative. Additional information regarding schedules and expectations will be provided before registration.
Successful implementation requires both clinical training and organizational support. Supervisors and senior leaders help remove implementation barriers, support clinicians throughout the Learning Collaborative, strengthen supervision, assist with implementation planning, and promote long-term sustainability of RRFT within their organizations.
Yes. Multiple clinicians from the same organization may participate under the guidance of a shared clinical supervisor or senior leader.
Up to six consultation calls over the learning collaborative cycle.
Otherwise, the expectation is primarily engagement with implementation-focused activities of clinician, as needed, which is designed to support organizational readiness, fiscal planning, sustainability, and clinician implementation.
Caregiver involvement is a core component of RRFT and is strongly encouraged whenever possible. Caregivers help reinforce skills outside of therapy, improve communication, support healthy behavior change, and contribute to successful treatment outcomes.
Yes. Although regular caregiver participation is an important component of RRFT, clinicians recognize that families may experience barriers such as transportation, work schedules, shared custody, or out-of-home placement. RRFT provides flexibility to work with caregivers whenever possible while maintaining fidelity to the treatment model.
Yes. When clinically appropriate and consistent with organizational policies and applicable regulations, caregiver sessions may be conducted through telehealth to improve participation and engagement.
Yes. RRFT commonly includes a combination of adolescent-only sessions, caregiver-only sessions, and conjoint family sessions depending on treatment goals and the needs of each family.
Yes. School-based clinicians may implement RRFT when they are able to meet the treatment requirements, coordinate caregiver participation, and provide services consistent with the RRFT model.
Yes. RRFT may be implemented within residential settings, although clinicians should consider how caregiver engagement and treatment coordination will occur within that environment.
Yes. RRFT can be adapted for adolescents involved in juvenile justice or other out-of-home placements by identifying appropriate caregivers or supportive adults and incorporating them into treatment whenever possible.
Clinicians should identify adolescents whose presenting concerns align with the RRFT model, including trauma exposure and co-occurring substance use and/or other health-risk behaviors. Agencies are encouraged to begin identifying potential referrals before implementation begins.
Appropriate existing clients may be considered for RRFT implementation if they meet eligibility criteria and the transition to RRFT is clinically appropriate.
Agencies are encouraged to collaborate with behavioral health providers, Children’s Advocacy Centers, schools, child welfare agencies, juvenile justice programs, medical providers, and other community partners to identify appropriate referrals and strengthen implementation.
Successful implementation is supported by engaged supervisors, participating senior leaders, protected training time, manageable caseloads, consultation participation, administrative support, and organizational commitment to implementing RRFT.
Agencies should consider clinician workload, scheduling, consultation participation, and implementation activities as they prepare for the Learning Collaborative. Productivity expectations should be balanced with the time required to successfully learn and implement a new treatment model.
Yes. Enrollment may be limited to maintain an effective Learning Collaborative experience. Registration information will include participant capacity and any enrollment limits.
Yes. Agencies are encouraged to send implementation teams whenever possible to strengthen organizational support and long-term sustainability.
Registration instructions for clinicians, supervisors, and senior leaders will be provided as part of the registration process.
The Learning Collaborative includes implementation planning, fiscal mapping, organizational readiness activities, and other resources designed to help agencies successfully integrate and sustain RRFT following completion of the Learning Collaborative.
