How psychotherapy helps children and teens after the October 7th events
Mechanisms and Outcomes of Children and Adolescent Psychotherapy
This project will use health records and follow ongoing therapy to see if therapy patterns, parental mental health, and exposure to the October 7th events relate to outcomes and dropout for children and adolescents in Israel.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 30000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Shalvata Mental Health Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hod HaSharon) |
| Trial ID | NCT07455344 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The project has two phases: a retrospective big-data analysis using Clalit Health Services (CHS) databases to examine children's and parents' mental and physical health from 2000–2024 and psychotherapy records from 2015–2024 to study dropout rates. Children and adolescents in CHS outpatient psychotherapy (ages 6–18) will be compared and grouped by age, with exclusions for those hospitalized during therapy. A prospective phase will follow adolescents (11–18), their caregivers, and therapists at the Crisis Intervention Unit in Shalvata Mental Health Center to identify pre-treatment and within-treatment predictors of outcome and dropout. Data sources include electronic health records, caregiver reports, and therapist information, with standard consent procedures for prospective participants.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and adolescents recorded in CHS outpatient psychotherapy (ages 6–18) and adolescents aged 11–18 receiving care at the Shalvata Crisis Intervention Unit, along with their caregivers and participating therapists.
Not a fit: Children hospitalized during psychotherapy, people not included in CHS records, individuals treated outside Shalvata, or those unable or unwilling to consent are unlikely to be included and therefore may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help target services better, reduce therapy dropout, and improve support for children and families affected by the war.
How similar studies have performed: Meta-analyses and recent wartime research have linked greater trauma exposure to higher child distress, but this specific examination of psychotherapy outcomes after the October 7th events in Israel is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Study 1: Inclusion criteria will be children and adolescents who participated in outpatient psychotherapy in CHS databases. Exclusion Criteria: Participants will be excluded in case of mental or physical hospitalization during psychotherapy. Study 2: Inclusion criteria for patients and caregivers include participation in psychotherapy in the Crisis Intervention Unit in Shalvata MHC. Inclusion criteria for therapists will be as follows (1) a professional license to practice psychotherapy (2) conducting psychotherapy in the child and adolescent clinic in Shalvata MHC. Patients and caregivers will be excluded in case of not being able to or willing to sign informed consent, or if there is an immediate risk, as evaluated by the treating physician.
Where this trial is running
Hod HaSharon
- Shalvata Mental Health Center — Hod HaSharon, Israel (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Prof. Dana Tzur-Bitan, Prof
- Email: Dana.tzur@gmail.com
- Phone: +972542300966
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.