Updating the Textbook: A Novel Approach to Training Graduate Students in Evidence-Based Youth Practices

Despite the ever-improving base of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for the treatment of childhood disorders, a gap between EBP research and their use in community settings continues to exist. An exciting opportunity to close this gap exists in the form of graduate student training; however, at present, several roadblocks exist. In this paper, we review the current state of graduate training in delivering EBPs and obstacles involved in training future community clinicians (i.e., graduate students) in EBPs. Next, we describe in detail our initiative to develop a curriculum that addresses these challenges. This innovative course empowered graduate students to receive training in the delivery of youth EBPs in community settings through reviews of the research literature, active learning techniques (e.g., discussions of case conceptualizations, role-playing case studies), and a written, publication-quality review of EBPs. Finally, we offer recommendations for other educators of mental health professionals (e.g., psychologists, social workers, counselors) to improve upon this curriculum in their training of graduate students in the theory and application of EBPs for treating childhood disorders.