College student–delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for rural high school students
Official title: Expanding Mental Health Access in Rural High Schools: Development and Testing of a College Student-Delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Intervention
Run by Milton S. Hershey Medical Center · NCT07240792 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether cognitive-behavioral therapy delivered by trained college students can help high school students in rural Schuylkill County who have symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 13 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hershey, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 25, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 20, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07240792 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
High school students aged 13–18 attending participating rural high schools in Schuylkill County who speak English and have elevated PROMIS depression, anxiety, or stress t-scores (≥55).
✕Probably not a fit
Students with psychotic or bipolar disorder, intellectual disability, seizure disorder, those at high suicide risk, or those unable to attend school-based sessions are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study adapts and pilots a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program delivered by trained undergraduate students to high school students in rural Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Licensed psychologists will train and supervise college students who then provide school-based CBT sessions to adolescents aged 13–18 with elevated symptoms on PROMIS measures. The intervention will be iteratively refined using feedback from participants and community stakeholders and evaluated for feasibility, acceptability, and symptom change. Students with severe psychiatric conditions or high suicide risk are excluded and sessions are delivered in person during the school day.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this model could expand access to affordable, evidence-based mental health care in rural schools and reduce depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: School-based and lay-delivered CBT programs have shown promise for reducing adolescent depression and anxiety, but using trained college students as the primary providers in rural high schools is a relatively novel approach currently being piloted.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * High school students ages 13-19 years. * Attending a participating rural high school in rural county in Pennsylvania. * Presenting with self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. Must have a t-score ≥ 55 on one or more of the following three measures: i. PROMIS Emotional Distress Depression short-form questionnaire ii. PROMIS Emotional Distress Anxiety short-form questionnaire iii. PROMIS Psychological Stress Experiences short-form questionnaire * English-speaking (to ensure comprehension of CBT materials and assessments). Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, intellectual disability, or seizure disorder. * Assessed to be at high risk for suicide or requiring immediate crisis intervention. * Inability to participate in school-based sessions due to scheduling conflicts or behavioral concerns.
Where it's running
-
Penn State College of Medicine
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jamal H Essayli, PhD
- Email: jessayli@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
- Phone: (717) 531-0003
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.