Evidence-based Practices are a fairly new idea. In the past, when a child did not get better, the child or family may be blamed. Starting in the 1990s, researchers were funded to investigate what helped children with serious emotional disorders

Families and their children have the right to ask:

  • Why do you think this will help me/my child?
  • What training do you have on this approach?
  • What is the evidence for this approach?
  • Can you give me material that describes this approach and why it will work for me/my child?

Two Evidence-Based Practice Resources for Families

  1. The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies has created a website for the public that allows the visitor to find out what evidence based practices are appropriate based on a child’s symptoms. It also provides detailed descriptions of treatments. Visit the website to learn more.
  2. Choosing the Right Treatment: What Families Need to Know about Evidence-Based Practices is a helpful guide written for families.  This guide explains effective, research based services for children with mental health needs, and how families can talk to providers about treatment choices. The guide can be downloaded online here.