Table 1.
Overview of the Back2School program
| Session number | Duration (hours) | Participants | Session content |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-0 | 1.5 | T, Y, P | Therapists conduct a structured assessment interview with the family, providing psychoeducation and SMART goals handouts as homework for the next session. |
| Clinical conference | 1 | T | The therapists are discussing the case formulation, choice of treatment modules, and treatment goals with a colleague. |
| S-1 | 1 | T, Y, P | The family is presented with and discusses the case formulation. The session includes psychoeducation about school absence and the development of SMART goals. |
| S-2 | 1 | T, P | Therapists assist parents in addressing questions or problems related to school placement, child's somatic symptoms, and parental motivation. This includes planning better home routines and addressing potential sleep problems. |
| S-3 | 1 | T, Y, P | Planning the date for returning to school and planning the first day back in school. Creating a gradual exposure plan for returning to school. |
| S-4 | 1 | T, Y, P | Psychoeducation regarding the youth’s primary problem related to school absence (e.g., anxiety, depression, or behavioral problems) from the MMM modules. Continued work with the gradual exposure plan for returning to school. |
| S-5 | 1 | T, Y, P | Application of CBT methods addressing the youth’s primary problem related to school absence (e.g., exposure, behavioral activation and/or cognitive restructuring) from the MMM modules. Continued work with the gradual exposure plan for returning to school. Work with parents involves setting boundaries. |
| S-6 | 1 | T, P | Working with parent behavior. Identifying and reducing factors at home that maintain school absence. |
| S-7 | 1 | T, Y, P | Continued work towards returning to school, and revision of gradual exposure plan. Work with parents involves how they can support the youth in exposure exercises and returning to school. Includes problem solving. |
| S-8 | 1 | T, Y, P | Open session tailored to the needs of the youth and parents. Continued work with CBT methods from the MMM modules. |
| S-9 | 1 | T, Y, P | Open session tailored to the needs of the youth and parents. Continued work with CBT methods from the MMM modules. |
| S-10 | 1 | T, Y, P | Concluding the B2S program. Focusing on maintaining progress. |
| Booster | 1 | T, Y, P | Focusing on maintaining progress. Problem solving regarding relevant problems. Discuss further assistance if needed. |
| SM 1 | 1 | T, P, S, Y | Presenting and discussing the case formulation with the school. Planning the school’s role in the youth’s return to school. Informing the school about the B2S and CBT approach. |
| SM 2 | 1 | T, P, S, Y | Following up on the youth’s progress in the school setting. Discussing potential academic difficulties, problems regarding bullying or other problems. |
| SM 3 | 1 | T, P, S, Y | Planning how the school can continue to help and support the youth. Discussing relapse prevention. |
| SM 4 | 1 | T, P, S, Y | Planning how the school can continue to help and support the youth. Discussing relapse prevent. |
S Session, SM School meeting, Y Youth, P Parent, T Therapist, S School officials, MMM Mind My Mind, B2S Back2School, CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy