History of the Model

History of the Model 
The content and name of AF-CBT has evolved over the past three decades.  The initial approach described in the first edition (Ed.1) of the model was developed in 1985 by David J. Kolko, Ph.D., in collaboration with Sharon (Fishman) Hicks, MSW, with consultation from David Wolfe, Ph.D., James Alexander, Ph.D., and Art Robin, Ph.D.  After an outcome study in 1996 (Kolko 1996a, 1996b), much of the original content of this approach was outlined in a sourcebook (Kolko & Swenson, 2002) and later described as Abuse-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in an early compendium of interventions (Kolko 2003a, 2003b).
AF-CBT was then adapted (Ed.2) and the name changed to Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive-Behavior Therapy in 2007 by David J. Kolko, Ph.D., Amy D. Herschell, Ph.D., Barbara L. Baumann, Ph.D., and Meghan Shaver, MSW.  The approach was renamed, in part, to more clearly reflect its focus on skills training designed to expand the family’s repertoire. Another reason for the change was related to the fact that the term “abuse” was later found to apply to only a minority of the families referred for AF-CBT and that, even when the term is applicable, the label may elicit stigma and obstruct rapport.  A related model called the PARTNERS CBT for Physical Abuse was developed by Elissa J. Brown, Ph.D. in 2002, with consultation from Anne Marie Albano, Ph.D., Esther Deblinger, Ph.D., David J. Kolko, Ph.D., and Cynthia C. Swenson, Ph.D.  Both of these interventions received federal support for their initial evaluation (NCCAN, NIMH, SAMHSA-NCTSN).  Beginning in 2010, efforts were initiated to integrate these two related approaches into the current edition of AF-CBT (Ed.3) to enhance its scope, utility, and eventual dissemination.