Concord

This research aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a brief psychotherapy program designed to help young adults aged 25 to 39 with cancer and their caregiving partners improve their coping skills and maintain their relationships. The study focuses on addressing the unique challenges faced by young adults with cancer and the burden and low self-confidence experienced by their partners in caregiving. This pilot trial will include 10 young adults with cancer along with their partners, totaling 20 participants. The intervention involves eight sessions based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and couples-focused therapy principles, tailored specifically for young adults. It is delivered by a trained mental health professional and includes educational content, hands-on exercises, and assignments to practice at home. Participants will receive this structured support to enhance their ability to manage cancer-related stress and strengthen their relationship during and after treatment. Participants will complete surveys before starting the intervention and after finishing it to assess its feasibility and acceptability. They will also have the option to participate in semi-structured interviews to provide further feedback. The study's outcomes focus on measuring how practical and well-received the intervention is over approximately 14 weeks. This information will guide improvements for future larger-scale clinical trials.

This research aims to evaluate a brief, digital single-session intervention called Practicing the Opposite (PTO) for youths aged 9 to 17 who are on waitlists for outpatient mental health treatment. The study focuses on addressing the urgent need for youth mental health care in the United States, particularly for conditions like anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, and stress. The intervention is designed to help young people cope during long wait times for therapy and potentially improve their engagement and outcomes once treatment begins. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the PTO digital program, which lasts 30 to 45 minutes and uses stories, interactive activities, and graphics to teach practicing positive opposite behaviors, or to usual clinical care provided by participating clinics. The study compares this new approach against standard waitlist procedures to test its effectiveness in improving mental health before formal therapy starts. Throughout the study, researchers will track changes in mental health symptoms using surveys and scales completed by youth and their parents at multiple time points: baseline, post-intervention, two weeks after, and monthly follow-ups for up to one year or until clinic treatment ends. These assessments measure anxiety, depression, behavior, and feelings to monitor progress and safety. Participation involves completing the digital intervention and responding to questionnaires, with ongoing observation until the study concludes.