Building Coping, Not Just Managing Behaviors:
Transdiagnostic CBT Interventions in Schools
Presented by Dr. Ray Christner
Schools are increasingly called upon to support students’ emotional well-being while fostering resilience, coping, and engagement. Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) provides a strong evidence-based framework for school-based mental health services when implemented in ways that are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and relationally grounded. This workshop emphasizes CBT-informed, skill-based interventions that prioritize prevention and early intervention while recognizing the central role of relationships in effective school practice.
Through a combination of didactic instruction and experiential activities, participants will explore how core CBT components, such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, emotion regulation, exposure, and problem-solving, can be delivered within the context of strong therapeutic alliances and collaborative school relationships. The workshop highlights how connection, validation, collaboration, and student voice enhance engagement, skill acquisition, and generalization of coping strategies across settings. Case examples will illustrate transdiagnostic CBT practices in schools.
Participants will leave with practical individual and group strategies for integrating CBT skills into school interactions while maintaining fidelity to evidence-based principles. By the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to (a) implement CBT-informed interventions that balance structure with relational responsiveness, (b) adapt strategies across educational contexts, and (c) align CBT practices with school-wide mental health, prevention, and resilience-building initiatives.
This will be a special closed session open to Rutgers and Kean students, supervisors, and NJASP board members.
Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to implement CBT-informed interventions that balance
structure with relational responsiveness
2. Participants will be able to adapt strategies across educational contexts
3. Participants will be able to align CBT practices with school-wide mental health,
prevention, and resilience-building initiatives.
NASP Domain:
Domain 4-Mental and Behavioral Health Services and Interventions
Domain 6-Services to Promote Safe and Supportive Schools
