Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health · Published 2026-07-29 · DOI 10.1017/gmh.2026.10273
Teresia Mutavi, Tessa Concepcion, Mansurat Raji, Anne Mbwayo, Stella Waruinge, Shannon Dorsey, Brandon A. Kohrt, Gloria Pedersen, Alison Schafer, Muthoni Mathai, Pamela Y. Collins
This study evaluated 1) foundational helping competencies for Non-Specialist Providers (NSPs) trained in a transdiagnostic CBT-based intervention (PRO-ACT) for adolescents with anxiety and depression in Nairobi, Kenya and 2) preliminary clinical outcomes for adolescents receiving PRO-ACT. Seventeen NSPs were trained and assessed using role plays at pre-training, post-training, and post-supervision using the Enhancing Assessment of Common Therapeutic Factors (ENACT) tool, via a pre-post design (no control group). Eighteen adolescents were enrolled, received 4–6 PRO-ACT sessions, and assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25). There were no significant changes in NSPs’ competencies from pre- to post-training. From pre-training to post-supervision, NSPs’ Level 1 (Potentially harmful) scores significantly decreased (−1.12 items; 95% CI: −2.10, −0.15; p = 0.026) and Level 3 or 4 (“Basic” or “Advanced competency”) significantly increased (2.12; 95% CI: 1.21, 3.04; p < 0.001). Adolescents had no significant change in mean PHQ-9 scores. RCADS scores decreased significantly for depression (−3.00 points; 95% CI: −5.45, −0.55; p = 0.020) and anxiety (−3.39 points; 95% CI: −6.17, −0.61; p = 0.020). NSPs’ foundational helping competencies improved significantly during clinical supervision. Client outcomes were promising, warranting a larger rigorous trial.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
Read the article at the publisher →
Mutavi, T., Concepcion, T., Raji, M., et al. (2026). An evaluation of non-specialist training and delivery of a brief cognitive-behavioral therapy-based transdiagnostic intervention for adolescents with depression and anxiety in Nairobi, Kenya. Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2026.10273