Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA)
| Component | Content | Target |
| Engagement | Discuss how programme helps, identify obstacles to engagement | Promote client buy in |
| Safety | Assess client risk or harm to self/others, IPV, abuse; initiate safety planning as needed | Assess/address client safety |
| Empirically supported cognitive behavioural elements | ||
| Psychoeducation/Introduction | Programme information, normalise symptoms and problems | Psychoeducation; reduce stigma |
| Substance use reduction | Cognitive behavioral Therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) merged to set goals and reduce substance use; identification and strategies for ‘drivers’ of substance use | Reduce substance use; increase social support |
| Behavioural activation | Identify and engage in pleasurable activities | Reduce depressive symptoms; activate to engage in helpful programmes (eg, HIV care) |
| Cognitive coping/ Restructuring | Identify and connect thoughts, feelings and behaviours; replace unhelpful thoughts with helpful ones in order to feel better and behave in a healthier, more productive way | Reduce depressive symptoms, anxiety and trauma-related symptoms; reduce self-blame and stigma; reduce negative thoughts on HIV care; reduce aggressive/violent behaviour; reduce risk taking; improve retention and adherence |
| Relaxation | Breathing exercises; imagery | Reduce anxiety and stress-related symptoms |
| Exposure | Talk about trauma memories or face fears using gradual desensitisation | Reduce trauma and anxiety symptoms |
| Problem solving | Teach a process of steps to solve problems and make healthy decisions | Promote health decision making; skills training for problem solving; improve relationships and communication |
IPV, intimate partner violence.