Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

A Program Evaluation of the Brief Family Therapy Program in the York University Psychology Clinic

This study is evaluating a quick, three-session family therapy program called LFP-B for families living in Ontario, Canada. It's for children aged 2-9 who are experiencing mental health challenges like anxiety or behaviour problems, or whose families are going through some distress. The program uses a play-based approach with video feedback to help families improve how they communicate and interact. Researchers want to know if families and therapists like the program (acceptability) and if it actually helps improve family relationships, how parents work together, and the child's mental health problems over time. This research aims to make mental health support more accessible and reduce waiting lists for children and families.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

York University

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

01 Aug 2029

Family Relationships Child Mental Health Coparenting

What is this study about?

This study is looking at a specific type of family therapy programme, which is a way of helping children and their families deal with mental health challenges. The programme is called the Lausanne Family Play - Brief (LFP-B) and it focuses on improving how family members talk to each other and get along. The idea is that by making family relationships stronger, children's mental health will also improve.

Many family therapies can be quite long and happen very often, which can be hard for some families to commit to. This LFP-B programme is designed to be much shorter, lasting only three sessions. It uses play and video feedback to help families understand and change difficult interactions. The study wants to find out if this quicker approach is helpful for families and children, and if both parents and therapists find it useful and satisfying. Researchers will check if things like family communication, how parents work together (called "coparenting"), and the child's mental health get better during and after the programme.

This kind of shorter, family-focused therapy could be really important because it could make it easier and quicker for children and families to get the mental health support they need in Canada. Many children with mental health concerns don't currently receive help, and quick services like this could reduce waiting times, stop problems from getting worse, and potentially help families avoid needing more intensive and expensive treatments in the future. If successful, this programme could be widely used to support Canadian families and children in a timely way.

Key takeaways

This study is testing a short, 3-session family therapy.
It helps families with children aged 2-9 who have mental health concerns.
The therapy is done online using play and video feedback.
It aims to improve family relationships, coparenting, and child mental health.
The goal is to make mental health support more accessible and reduce waiting lists.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, both parents or main carers must be over 18 years old and live in Ontario, Canada. They must be looking after a child between 2 and 9 years old who is experiencing some mental health difficulties, such as anxiety, feeling low, or behaviour problems, or if the family is going through mild to moderate stress. Both parents/carers and the child must also agree to take part.

Families will need to have access to a screen (like a phone, tablet, or computer) and a reliable internet connection because the sessions will be online, and some parts will be recorded. This study is not suitable for families where the child is in immediate danger of harming themselves or other people.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are both main carers over 18 years old?
Do you live in Ontario, Canada?
Is your child aged between 2 and 9 years old?
Does your child have mental health challenges (e.g., anxiety, behaviour issues) or is your family experiencing distress?
Do you have access to a screen (phone, tablet, computer) and internet for online sessions?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, your family will receive three therapy sessions designed to be brief and focused. These sessions will involve play-based activities and video feedback to help your family improve how you interact. You'll need to have access to a screen and the internet for these virtual sessions. Researchers will also be checking in with you to understand if you find the program useful and if there are any changes in your family's dynamic and your child's mental health over time. The total duration of your family's involvement will cover the three sessions and a follow-up period to see the lasting effects.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study is that your family could receive support to improve communication and relationships, and your child's mental health challenges might lessen. The therapy is designed to be brief, which can be less demanding than longer programmes. As with any therapy, there's always a small chance that discussing sensitive family matters could cause some temporary discomfort. However, the aim is to help. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your current or future healthcare.

Locations (1)

York University
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada

Common questions

What kind of children can join this study?

Children aged 2 to 9 years old who are experiencing mental health challenges like anxiety, low mood, or behaviour problems can join. Families experiencing mild to moderate stress are also welcome.

How long does the therapy programme last?

The therapy programme is designed to be brief, with just three sessions.

Do I need to go to a clinic for the sessions?

No, the sessions will be virtual, meaning you'll participate online from home using a screen and the internet.

What is 'coparenting' that the study mentions?

Coparenting refers to how two parents or caregivers work together to raise their children, even if they are not together as a couple.

Will I have to pay to join this study?

The information provided does not indicate any cost for participating in the study.

How to find out more

Heather Prime, PhD

hprime@yorku.ca (416)736-5117 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.