Growing Together: Different Minds, Different Paths, Shared Growth
Growing Together is a neurodiversity-affirming group program for teens (ages 12-15) and their caregivers. Over six weekly Thursday evening sessions, teens and caregivers will meet in separate, simultaneous groups designed to build skills and connect with a supportive community.
The teen group is based on an evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy program adapted for neurodivergent teens. Teens will learn practical strategies for managing stress and emotions while building confidence and recognizing their unique strengths.
The caregiver group provides a supportive space to connect with other families, reflect on shared experiences, and foster healthy communication with your teen.
Growing Together welcomes all teens, including those with executive function challenges, learning differences, and/or clinical diagnoses of ASD and ADHD.
Program Details:
Who: Teens ages 12-15 and their caregivers
What: Six 90-minute weekly sessions for teens and caregivers
When: Thursdays, 5:30 – 7:00 pm, September 24-October 29
Where: CUB Clinic, University of Denver, 2450 S Vine St, Denver, CO 80210
If Growing Together might be a good fit for you, please call or email us to learn more!
Caregiver Speaks
Adapting Psychosocial Support for Caregivers of Individuals with Rare Genetic Conditions
Caregiver Speaks-Rett Syndrome is a collaborative research project focused on adapting and evaluating an evidence-based psychosocial intervention for caregivers of individuals with Rett syndrome. Although family caregivers experience high levels of stress, isolation, and caregiving demands, few evidence-based psychological interventions have been developed specifically for this community.
In collaboration with investigators from Colorado State University, Children's Hospital Colorado, and local and international advocacy organizations, our team is adapting Caregiver Speaks to address the unique needs of Rett caregivers. Following a successful pilot study demonstrating feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, we are now launching the next phase of the project with support from Acadia Pharmaceuticals. This work will refine the intervention based on caregiver feedback and evaluate its potential to strengthen caregiver mental health, family well-being, and social connection while informing future larger-scale clinical trials.
If you are interested in helping to develop the Caregiver Speaks intervention, please contact PI Talia Thompson at CABLab@du.edu
CBT+ and CBTeX
Using Qualitative and Mixed Methods to Optimize Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Adolescents
In collaboration with the Adolescent Wellness Lab at Colorado State University (PI: Lauren Shomaker) and Children's Hospital Colorado, our lab leads the qualitative component of two NIH-funded studies: CBT+: Digitally Enhanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents with Depression and Obesity and CBTeX: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Exercise Training in Adolescents at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
Using interviews and focus groups conducted before and after treatment, we partner with adolescents to better understand their needs, preferences, and experiences with these interventions. This work helps identify barriers to engagement, understand what aspects of treatment are most meaningful to youth, and refine evidence-based interventions to be more responsive, engaging, and effective for adolescents at risk for cardiometabolic disease.
