VRC Shares Insights on Therapy Designed to Reduce Gun Violence

The Violence Reduction Center’s Latest White Paper Shares Experts' Experiences With, and Advice on, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions

The Violence Reduction Center (VRC) at the University of Maryland recently published a white paper detailing what was discussed at an invitation-only convening of experts on community gun violence and the cognitive behavioral therapy-based interventions to address it.

The paper, entitled “Cognitive Behavioral Interventions: Scaling Success to Save Lives,” first shares a summary of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus cognitive behavioral interventions (CBIs). CBT is a specific, psychotherapeutic protocol typically delivered by trained therapists over a series of sessions, whereas CBIs are techniques or strategies derived from CBT that are tailored to meet the unique mental needs of a specific group, and that can be delivered in the absence of a broader therapeutic program.

The paper then shares examples of how CBT and CBIs have demonstrated success within the criminal justice system—including reducing recidivism rates by 14% in one study, plus reducing violent crime arrests in boys grades 7-10 by 45%, and reducing violent crime arrests in boys grades 9-10 by 33% in another.

“CBIs have some of the strongest evidence of effectiveness in terms of reducing arrests for violent and other offenses,” said Thomas Abt, founding director of the VRC. “And yet, there’s not enough organizations implementing these strategies with fidelity.”

The paper acknowledges that, according to the experts, it is essential to follow best practices for CBI implementation. Those best practices include employing practical and proven tools and strategies; utilizing street outreach workers with a high degree of cultural responsivity; employing “relentless engagement” to connect high risk individuals to treatment and services; offering extensive training to employees; being flexible and adapting models to meet real-world conditions; and supporting and investing in CBI workers.

The white paper concludes with recommendations on how to scale CBI despite these challenges.

“Bringing cognitive behavioral interventions to scale presents a challenge, but one the field of violence prevention has made significant progress on,” said Dr. Kyle Fischer, a policy director for The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention and clinical associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “At the end of the day, this means we must recognize the value of frontline workers who deliver these interventions. This includes a range of activities from increasing professional development and professional certification opportunities to increasing pay and financial sustainability through regular reimbursement from traditional systems, such as Medicaid health insurance.”

Dr. Fischer was one of more than 50 individuals who attended the October 2024 event that inspired the VRC’s white paper. The event was supported by the Everytown Community Safety Fund, and included representatives from Roca Inc., the Beck Institute, and the University of Chicago Crime Lab.

Read “Cognitive Behavioral Interventions: Scaling Success to Save Lives”

Published on Thu, Mar 20, 2025 - 1:49PM