Locus of Intervention in Child Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Abstract

The present chapter considers the locus of intervention taken by research and clinical endeavors in child cognitive behavior therapy, with particular emphasis on (a) the implications one’s chosen locus of intervention may have on outcome and (b) the possibilities for thoughtful selection of locus of intervention to improve the efficacy of treatment efforts. For present purposes the term locus of intervention is defined broadly, encompassing not only the question of where to intervene but also the following related issues: (a) when, (b) at what target levels, (c) with what types of populations, (d) with what kinds of training and support personnel, and (e) toward what ends and target behaviors. As will become evident, such a wide-angle view is necessary in discussing locus of intervention because of its inextricable relatedness to these other issues.