Therapy for Parents of Children with Mental Health Issues

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of a 6-week Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) program designed for parents of children aged 7 to 15 who are experiencing anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems. Families will be randomly assigned to either the EFFT intervention group or a waitlist control group. The study aims to assess improvements in both parent and child functioning, as well as the quality of the parent-child relationship, with follow-up assessments conducted four months after the intervention to determine the sustainability of any benefits. The trial will also explore factors that may influence treatment outcomes, such as parental stress.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Parent of child aged 7 to 15 years old with anxiety, depression, or behavioural challenges
* Parent of child is willing to participate in intervention
* Parent is living at home with the child

Exclusion Criteria:

* Parent or child not proficient enough in speaking/understanding English to complete measures or EFFT intervention components
* Parent or child with a severe mental health disorder (e.g., active suicidality and psychosis) is not considered suitable for the trial intervention due to the clinical need for immediate intervention
* Parent or child is actively receiving, or due to receive, intensive psychological intervention focused on cognitive and/or behavioural strategies to intervene with emotional or behavioural difficulties
* Parent or child has any disabilities in language, speech or hearing that would interfere with their completion of the EFFT and measures
* Parent or child are allergic to adhesive electrode gel use in some tasks (i.e., sodium chloride)

Where it's running

• Maplewoods Centre for Family Therapy and Child Psychology, University of Guelph
  Guelph, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kristel Thomassin, Ph.D — University of Guelph
• Study coordinator: Kristel Thomassin, Ph.D
• Email: kristel.thomassin@uoguelph.ca
• Phone: 519-824-4120

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.