Evaluating a flexible treatment approach for youth mental health

Testing FIRST in Youth Outpatient Psychotherapy

NIH-funded research Harvard University · NIH-11013425

This study is testing a new, flexible therapy called FIRST for kids and teens aged 8-15 who are dealing with different mental health issues, to see how well it works and how therapists can best use it.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHarvard University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cambridge, United States)
Project IDNIH-11013425 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new treatment approach called FIRST, designed for children and adolescents facing various mental health challenges. It focuses on providing flexible, transdiagnostic care that can adapt to the changing needs of young patients during their treatment. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial across four community clinics, where diverse youths aged 8-15 will receive this innovative therapy. The goal is to assess the effectiveness of FIRST and identify factors that influence its implementation by therapists.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are youths aged 8-15 who are experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 8-15 or those not experiencing significant mental health challenges may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes for children and adolescents by providing a more effective and adaptable treatment method.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of the FIRST treatment have shown promising results, indicating that this approach may be effective for youth mental health care.

Where this research is happening

Cambridge, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.