As can be seen below, family therapy currently has the most research evidence for the treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder.

Please click here to read more about specific evidence-based treatment programs for bipolar disorder.

Child & Adolescent BPD

Sources: Fristad, M.A., Verducci, J.S., Walters, K., & Young, M.E. (2009). Impact of multifamily psychoeducational psychotherapy in treating children aged 8 to 12 years with mood disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry, 66 (9), 1013-1021.

Goldstein, T.R., Axelson, D.A., Birmaher, B., & Brent, D.A. (2007). Dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents with bipolar disorder: A 1-year open trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46 (7), 820-830.

Miklowitz, D.J., Axelson, D.A., Birmaher, B., George, E.L., Taylor, D.W., Schneck, C.D., Beresford, C.A., Dickinson, L.M., Craighead, W.E., & Brent, D.A. (2008). Family-focused treatment for adolescents with bipolar disorder: Results of a 2-year randomized trial. Archives of General Psychiatry, 65 (9), 1053-1061.

West, A.E., Jacobs, R.H., Westerholm, R., Lee, A., Carbray, J., Heidenreich, J., & Pavuluri, M.N. (2009). Child and family-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for pediatric bipolar disorder: Pilot study of group treatment format. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 18 (3), 239-246.

Young, M.E. & Fristad, M.A. (2007). Evidence based treatments for bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 37, 157-164.