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Comparative Effectiveness Research Series

SAMHSA funded a study to evaluate the impact of two dissemination strategies to promote the adoption of a patient-centered behavioral health intervention by behavioral and community health providers. One of the tested dissemination strategies was the provision of an informational packet on an evidence-based practice that was suitable for implementation by both behavioral and community health providers. Preliminary study findings indicated that the informational packets were well received. Furthermore, the provision of the packets promoted information sharing among health care providers and increased the decision to adopt the evidence-based practice by practitioners.^1-3

Given these promising results, and to further its support of informed decision making, NREPP used the informational packets from the study as a template in developing a booklet and factsheet on select mental health and substance abuse interventions that have been evaluated in CER and previously reviewed by NREPP. The interventions that were selected represent therapeutic approaches that can be implemented with many different populations by providers of mental health and substance abuse services.

The booklets and factsheets were developed using several sources: information submitted for the NREPP review, Web sites about the interventions, implementation materials, and input from the intervention developers.

For each of the interventions below, you can access the booklet and the factsheet as well as the intervention summary resulting from the NREPP review. These interventions do not represent all NREPP-reviewed interventions evaluated in CER. As funding permits, materials for additional interventions may be developed.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder. The focus of DBT is on helping clients learn and apply skills that will decrease ineffective ways of coping with strong emotions.
  • NREPP intervention summary
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy developed for the treatment of symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder. Treatment focuses on past experiences as the basis for clinical complaints; the present as current situations that trigger dysfunctional emotions, beliefs, and sensations; and the positive experiences needed to enhance future adaptive behaviors and mental health.
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
  Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a treatment for recurring depression to prevent major depression relapse. Clients learn skills to prevent depression relapse and gain awareness of how to relate to emotions, thoughts, and body sensations, and how to effectively respond to negative experiences and emotions.
  • NREPP intervention summary
• Motivational Interviewing
  Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an approach used by health professionals to help clients change unhealthy behavior. Guided by core principles, the client works through a collaborative approach that includes engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning processes.
  • NREPP intervention summary
• Multidimensional Family Therapy
  Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) is a family-centered, comprehensive treatment program for adolescents and young adults with substance use and related behavioral and emotional problems. MDFT interventions are designed for the adolescent, the parent, the family, and systems such as school and juvenile justice.