LOW-INTENSITY CBT FOR INTERNALIZING YOUTH MENTAL-HEALTH PROBLEMS. A multi-site randomized controlled trial

The specific objectives of this study are:
Primary aim:
1) To investigate the effectiveness of CBT guided self-help compared to a standard early
intervention CBT program and a waitlist control group in reducing symptoms of
anxiety and depression and in increasing quality of life in anxious youth.
Secondary aims:
2) To investigate mediators (i.e. cognitions, engagement, therapeutic alliance) and
moderators of change (i.e. demographic variables, comorbid problems, treatment
motivation and credibility, perceived social support from significant others, and selfreported
school functioning) in anxious youth receiving early intervention CBT
(guided self-help or standard CBT).
3) To investigate effectiveness of early intervention CBT (guided self-help or standard
CBT) at one-year follow-up for symptoms of anxiety and depression and quality of
life, compared to a reference population.