Maintenance of Training Effects of Two Models for Implementing Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment

Objective: The authors compared maintenance of training outcomes for two approaches to training college therapists in interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT): train the trainer versus expert training. Methods: A cluster-randomized trial was conducted in 24 college counseling centers. Therapists were recruited from enrolled centers, and the therapists enrolled students with depression and eating disorder symptoms. The therapists (N5184) provided data during baseline, posttraining (during the 12 months of expert consultation offered to the expert training group), and maintenance (approximately 7 months after the expert consultation ended). Outcomes were therapist fidelity (i.e., adherence and competence) and IPT knowledge. Results: Both groups showed within-group improvement from baseline to the maintenance period for adherence, competence, and IPT knowledge; however, the train-the trainer group had greater improvement over time in adherence and competence. Conclusions: Given that the effects of the train-the trainer approach were better maintained, and this model's potential to train more therapists over time, the train the-trainer approach may help increase dissemination of evidence-based treatments such as IPT. Psychiatric Services 2021; 72:1451-1454; doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.202000702