Transdiagnostic Treatment Approach in Children and Adolescents' Mental Health

Abstract

In clinical and community settings, youth generally present with high rates of comorbidity and rapid developmental change, requiring the clinician's attention to manage multiple facets of the disorder. Though evidence-based treatments (EBTs) have been developed for young people and have shown promising results, these EBTs do not usually guide how to deal with associated comorbid conditions. Meanwhile, transdiagnostic treatment approachs (TTA) go beyond the diagnosis and address shared mechanisms across disorders. TTA takes multidimensional action to support youth through eclectic treatment strategies. This chapter summarizes the complexities associated with child and adolescent mental health, transdiagnostic processes underlying youth psychopathology, and the need for transdiagnostic intervention over disorder-specific treatment. Furthermore, it gives a snapshot of transdiagnostic intervention protocols and advocates for more methodologically rigorous evidence.