College student–delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for rural high school students
Expanding Mental Health Access in Rural High Schools: Development and Testing of a College Student-Delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Intervention
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 13 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hershey, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT07240792 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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).
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * High school students ages 13-18 years. * Attending a participating rural high school in Schuylkill County, 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 this trial is running
Hershey, Pennsylvania
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.