Recruiting

Development of a College Student-Delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Intervention for Rural High School Students

This research is being done to find out the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a college student-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention in high schools in rural Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania to treat mental health problems (i.e. depression and anxiety) in adolescents. This project will respond to the need for evidence-based, acceptable, accessible, and low-cost adolescent cognitive-behavioral interventions that lead to long-term improvements in adolescents' mental health outcomes.

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07240792

PhaseNA

Enrollment40

SponsorMilton S. Hershey Medical Center

Age13 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Depression, Anxiety, Stress

About this study

Interventions

Behavioral: Student Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention — Our study aims to evaluate whether a 12-week cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program delivered in both group and individual formats by trained college students can effectively help adolescents with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. We will assess the program's feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in a high school setting. Sessions will cover topics such as: understanding connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns, using exposure principles to face feared situations, building problem-solving skills, and engaging in positive activities.

Primary outcomes

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) 8-item Emotional Distress-Depression (Baseline, Week 6, Week 12)
PROMIS 8-item Emotional Distress-Anxiety (Baseline, Week 6, Week 12)
PROMIS 8-item Psychological Stress Experiences (Baseline, Week 6, Week 12)
Recruitment Rate (Through study completion, an average of 2 years)
Retention Rate (Through study completion, an average of 2 years)

Eligibility information

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.

Study locations

Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.