Clin Psychol Psychother. 2025 May-Jun;32(3):e70088. doi: 10.1002/cpp.70088.
ABSTRACT
Depression and suicidality are prevalent mental health issues among adolescents in the United States. There are multiple evidence-based practices (EBPs) for depression and/or suicidality, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and interpersonal therapy for adolescents (IPT-A), though youth seeking psychotherapeutic treatment in community settings may not consistently receive these EBPs. This study aims to characterize therapy experiences among youth aged 8-20 years with depression and/or suicidal behaviour who were in treatment using the Depression Treatment Experiences Questionnaire (DTEQ), as well as to provide initial construct validity and test-retest reliability of this new measure. Of the first 1000 participants in the Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network (TX-YDSRN), 585 were currently receiving psychotherapy for their depression and/or suicidality. Almost half of the participants engaged in therapy reported receiving some form of CBT (n = 237, 42.4%). The DTEQ showed a two-factor structure, including a 12-item ‘Evidence-Based Practice’ factor that demonstrated strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability and a two-item ‘Parental Involvement’ factor that showed acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Participants receiving psychotherapy generally endorsed being exposed to techniques aligned with EBPs. Additional non-therapeutic elements, such as exercise (n = 276, 47.1%) and changing sleep habits (n = 191, 32.6%), were frequently endorsed as being received by participants in psychotherapy. These results describe the therapy experiences of youth engaged in psychotherapy for depression and/or suicidality and propose a new assessment tool that can be used to characterize these experiences. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGES: Youth in psychotherapy for depression or suicidality frequently engage in evidence-based techniques (e.g., problem-solving, cognitive restructuring), yet nearly half are unaware of the type of therapy they are receiving-highlighting a gap in patient-provider communication and psychoeducation. The DTEQ is a promising tool for assessing therapy content and structure and may help practitioners assess that evidence-based components are being implemented and understood by clients. Many adolescents supplement treatment with lifestyle changes like exercise and sleep adjustments-indicating the importance of integrating behavioural health recommendations into therapy for holistic care.
PMID:40497658 | DOI:10.1002/cpp.70088
