Updates in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

Examine current challenges in child and adolescent mental health care and apply updated evidence-based psychotherapies, including Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to modern clinical practice.

Therapists who work with children and adolescents currently face multiple challenges: worsening youth mental health, a critical workforce shortage, and a rapid shift of patients seeking digital tools to fill the gap in access. The changing landscape and systems of care require clinicians to stay abreast of new data and evidence-based care models, but which modalities are compatible with and adaptable to the 'new normal' of clinical practice?

In this one day course we'll discuss research updates in evidence-based psychotherapies such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT, and guide clinicians to optimize therapeutic approaches that integrate emotional regulation, mindfulness, gender affirmation, and support through developmental transitions. In addition, we'll discuss how to promote digital wellness so that youth can both experience the benefits of digital connection and avoid the harms of too much screen time.

This course is designed for any clinician using psychotherapy in clinical practice. Join us to boost your confidence, skills and effectiveness in caring for the mental health of children and adolescents.

Early Registration Deadline: November 5, 2026

Learning Objectives

• Review the principal components of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), and compare it to other evidence-based forms of care.
• Identify the core components and principles of trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (TF-CBT) for children and adolescents exposed to trauma.
• Detail several therapy interventions and recommendations to best support youth during the transition to young adulthood.
• Create safe, informed, and affirming spaces for trans and genderqueer youth and their caregivers in clinical settings.
• Implement strategies to adapt and utilize mindfulness techniques in therapy for youth with a range of mental health issues, learning styles, and attention spans.
• Apply a sequenced approach to teaching emotion regulation skills based on attentional and cognitive capacity in adolescents.
• Describe the interplay of technology use with mental health in youth, and list several interventions to moderate screen time..

Who Should Participate

• Specialty Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• Social workers
• Counselors
• Psychologists 

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Questions?

Please contact the Continuing Education Programs with any questions by email at CEPrograms@HMS.Harvard.edu.

Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you'll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.

Azeesat Babjide, MD

Medical Director of Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Alaina Baker, PsyD

Director of the Youth & Family Gender Identity Program, Boston Child Study Center
Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Tufts University

Andrew Chin, PhD

Staff Psychologist, Cambridge Health Alliance
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Brian Denietolis, PsyD

Clinical Psychologist and the Director of Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Services, Boston Child Study Center

David Klemanski, PsyD, MPH

Chief of Psychology and Postdoctoral Training Director, Cambridge Health Alliance
Member of the Faculty of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Michael Tsappis, MD

Psychiatrist, Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID), Boston Children's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Christopher Willard, PsyD

Psychologist and Educational Consultant
Lecturer on Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School

Course Directors

Pamela Buck, PhD

Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Boston Child Study Center
Lecturer on Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School

Dorothy Kelleher, PsyD

Director of Family Therapy Training, Cambridge Health Alliance
Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Karen Kuc, MPH

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

To receive CME/CE credit, learners are required to complete the course evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, you will be able to claim your credit and download your certificate. All evaluations and credit claims must be completed within 60 days of the course end date.

Physicians

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure. 

Physician Assistants

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 7.00 continuing education credits. 

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email CME@CHAlliance.org.

Social Workers

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted to NASW-MA. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 7.00 contact hours.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email CME@CHAlliance.org.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance is an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 7.00 continuing education hours and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.00 credits. 

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email CME@CHAlliance.org.

Family Therapists

Application for LMFT continuing education credits has been submitted to NEAFAST. Please contact us at CME@CHAlliance.org for the status of LMFT CE accreditation. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email CME@CHAlliance.org.

Union of European Medical Specialists

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the Union of European Medical Specialists website.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.