What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for depression, particularly those involving family therapy approaches like Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), generally have minimal physical side effects compared to pharmacological treatments. However, they can sometimes lead to emotional discomfort as family dynamics and communication patterns are addressed and altered. Participants might experience increased stress or anxiety during the initial phases of therapy as they confront and work through challenging emotional issues. It is also possible for family members to feel overwhelmed by the demands of the therapy process. Overall, these side effects are typically temporary and can be managed with the support of a skilled therapist.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

FDA-approved treatments for depression primarily include pharmacological options such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine and sertraline, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline. While these medications are effective, non-pharmacological treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) have also been widely recognized. Family-based therapeutic approaches, similar to Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), are not typically FDA-approved but are supported by clinical evidence for their effectiveness in improving emotional and adaptive behaviors in children and adolescents with depression.

What other types of research exist?

Promising, novel alternatives to Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) for treating depression in 2024 include: 1) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors; 2) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which combines CBT with mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques; 3) Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), which addresses interpersonal issues and their impact on mood; 4) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which encourages patients to accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to behavior changes; and 5) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy to prevent relapse in depression.

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Emotion Focused Family Therapy for Children's Mental Health Difficulties

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Kristel Thomassin, Ph.D

Research Sponsored by University of Guelph

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be younger than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up change at 6 weeks; change at 4 months

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a program called Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) that helps parents support their children's emotional and behavioral development. It targets families with children needing emotional and behavioral support. The therapy aims to improve family relationships and maintain these improvements over time. Emotion-focused family therapy (EFFT) involves parents in their child's recovery from various mental health issues, including eating disorders.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for parents of children aged 7 to 15 who are dealing with anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues. The child must live at home with the parent willing to participate in the therapy. It's not suitable for families where a parent or child has severe mental health disorders, language disabilities, or is already receiving intensive psychological intervention.

What is being tested?

The trial tests Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), which teaches parents skills to help their child develop emotional abilities and improve behavior. Parents will attend a group EFFT program for six weeks and results will be tracked up to four months after.

What are the potential side effects?

Since EFFT involves psychological education and support rather than medication, traditional side effects like those seen with drugs aren't expected. However, participants may experience emotional discomfort as they engage with challenging family dynamics during therapy.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ change at 6 weeks; change at 4 months

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~change at 6 weeks; change at 4 months

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and change at 6 weeks; change at 4 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change in child emotion regulation at 6 weeks and 4 months

Change in child psychopathology symptoms at 6 weeks and 4 months

Change in parent-child co-regulation at 6 weeks and 4 months

+3 more

Secondary study objectives

Change in parental emotion blocks at 6 weeks and 4 months

Change in parental emotion socialization at 6 weeks and 4 months

Change in parental self-efficacy at 6 weeks and 4 months

+5 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: EFFT interventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Treatment (6-week group Emotion Focused Family Therapy) will be administered to participants in this arm.

Group II: Waitlist (delayed intervention)Active Control1 Intervention

No treatment will be administered to participants in this arm until after the 4-month follow-up in-lab assessment is completed.

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Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) works by teaching parents advanced skills to support their child's emotional development and increase adaptive behaviors, which can improve psychological and family functioning. This approach is significant for depression patients because it addresses the emotional and relational aspects of the disorder, fostering a supportive environment that can enhance treatment outcomes. By improving emotional regulation and family dynamics, EFFT helps create a stable and nurturing context that is crucial for the effective management and recovery from depression.

Treating systemic issues in families affected by cystic fibrosis: A solution-focused approach.A Review of the Research in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples.Attachment-based family therapy for depressed adolescents: programmatic treatment development.