Psychology 7205 Advanced Child Intervention (Winter 2026)

This course provides students with an opportunity to explore specific therapeutic interventions used in the treatment of psychological problems experienced by children and adolescents. Empirically supported approaches to the treatment of childhood behavioural problems, anxiety, depression and other issues impacting children will be reviewed. Students also have an opportunity to learn about approaches that are often used with parents, guardians and others who help children. Specific therapeutic approaches primarily used with adolescents are also reviewed. Students have opportunities to gain experience in practicing some of these techniques through experiences such as class-based role plays and delivery of an empirically supported parenting program to groups of parents. Implications of cultural and individual diversities for interventions with children and adolescents are explored.

Course Instructor
Stephen Butler

Jan 16:

Littell, J. H. (2005). Lessons from a systematic review of effects of multisystemic therapy. Children and youth services review, 27(4), 445-463.

Henggeler, S. W., Schoenwald, S. K., Borduin, C. M., & Swenson, C. C. (2006). Methodological critique and meta-analysis as Trojan horse. Children and youth services review, 28(4), 447-457.

Littell, J. H. (2006). The case for Multisystemic Therapy: Evidence or orthodoxy?. Children and youth services review, 28(4), 458-472.

Optional Readings:

Littell, J. H., Pigott, T. D., Nilsen, K. H., Green, S. J., & Montgomery, O. L. (2021). Multisystemic Therapy® for social, emotional, and behavioural problems in youth age 10 to 17: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 17(4), e1158.

Jan 23:

Butler, S., Baruch, G., Hickey, N., & Fonagy, P. (2011). A randomized controlled trial of multisystemic therapy and a statutory therapeutic intervention for young offenders. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 50(12), 1220-1235.

Fonagy, P., Butler, S., Cottrell, D., Scott, S., Pilling, S., Eisler, I., ... & Ellison, R. (2018). Multisystemic therapy versus management as usual in the treatment of adolescent antisocial behaviour (START): a pragmatic, randomised controlled, superiority trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(2), 119-133.

Optional Readings:

Fonagy, P., Butler, S., Cottrell, D., Scott, S., Pilling, S., Eisler, I., ... & Smith, J. A. (2020). Multisystemic therapy versus management as usual in the treatment of adolescent antisocial behaviour (START): 5-year follow-up of a pragmatic, randomised, controlled, superiority trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(5), 420-430.

Required readings:

Conroy, D., Smith, J., Butler, S., Byford, S., Cottrell, D., Kraam, A., ... & Anokhina, A. (2021). The long-term impact of Multi-Systemic Therapy: An experiential study of the adolescent-young adult life transition. Journal of Adolescent Research, 1-34.

Tighe, A., Pistrang, N., Casdagli, L., Baruch, G., & Butler, S. (2012). Multisystemic therapy for young offenders: Families' experiences of therapeutic processes and outcomes. Journal of Family Psychology, 26(2), 187.

Optional Readings:

Fox, S., Bibi, F., Millar, H., & Holland, A. (2017). The role of cultural factors in engagement and change in Multisystemic Therapy (MST). Journal of Family Therapy, 39(2), 243-263.

Bunting, A., Fox, S., Adhyaru, J., & Holland, A. (2020). Considerations for minority ethnic young people in multisystemic therapy. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1-15.

Jan 30:

Carr, A. (2006). Family therapy: Concepts, process and practice. John Wiley & Sons; Chapter: 3 Theories that focus on behaviour patterns pp. 76-109; Chapter 4: Theories that focus on belief systems pp. 110-153.

Video: Assessment and Engagement in Family Therapy: https://www-psychotherapy-net.proxy.library.upei.ca/stream/upei/video?vid=387

Feb 6:

Selvini, M. P., Boscolo, L., Cecchin, G., & Prata, G. (1980). Hypothesizing—circularity—neutrality: Three guidelines for the conductor of the session. Family process, 19(1), 3-12.

Cecchin, G. (1987). Hypothesizing, circularity, and neutrality revisited: An invitation to curiosity. Family process, 26(4), 405-413.

Adams, J. (2014). Milan systemic therapy. In An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy (pp. 182-205). Routledge

Required readings for SFT:

De Shazer, S., Berg, J. K., Lipchik, E., Nunnally, E., Molnar, A., Gingerich, W. & Weiner-Davis, M. (1986). Brief therapy: Focused solution development. Family Process, 25, 207–22

Berg, I. K., & De Jong, P. (1996). Solution-building conversations: Co-constructing a sense of competence with clients. Families in Society, 77(6), 376-391. 

Bond, C., Woods, K., Humphrey, N., Symes, W., & Green, L. (2013). Practitioner review: The effectiveness of solution focused brief therapy with children and families: A systematic and critical evaluation of the literature from 1990–2010. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54(7), 707-723. 

Optional Readings:

Kim, J., Jordan, S. S., Franklin, C., & Froerer, A. (2019). Is solution-focused brief therapy evidence-based? An update 10 years later. Families in Society, 100(2), 127-138.

https://www-psychotherapy-net.proxy.library.upei.ca/stream/upei/video?vid=044

https://www-psychotherapy-net.proxy.library.upei.ca/stream/upei/video?vid=166

Feb 13:

Robin, A. L., & Foster, S. L. (2002). Negotiating parent-adolescent conflict: A behavioral-family systems approach. Guilford Press. Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter2: Theoretical Orientation.

Mar 6:

Midgley, N., Ensink, K., Lindqvist, K., Malberg, N., & Muller, N. (2017). Mentalization-based treatment for children: A time-limited approach. American Psychological Association. Part II Description of the Therapeutic Approach (Chapters 3-7).

Mar 20:

Leschied, A. W., Saklofske, D. H., & Flett, G. L. (2018). Handbook of school-based mental health promotion. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.

1. What Works in School-Based Mental Health Service Delivery? Carissa M. Orlando, William Bradley, Tristan A. Collier, Jennifer Ulie-Wells, Elaine Miller and Mark D. Weist

2. Schools and Mental Health: Is some Necessary Re-examining in Order?  Stan Kutcher, Yifeng Wei and Mina Hashish

Mar 27:

Berryhill, M. B., & Lechtenberg, M. M. (2015). Acceptance and commitment therapy with adolescents: Identifying and clarifying values. Journal of family psychotherapy, 26(1), 25-30.

Bowden, T., & Bowden, S. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): An overview for practitioners. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 22(2), 279-285.

Petersen, J. M., Ona, P. Z., & Twohig, M. P. (2022). A Review of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents: Developmental and Contextual Considerations. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 1-18.

Apr 10:

Van der Gucht, K., Griffith, J. W., Hellemans, R., Bockstaele, M., Pascal-Claes, F., & Raes, F. (2017). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for adolescents: Outcomes of a large-sample, school-based, cluster-randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness, 8(2), 408-416.