RAINBOW A Child- and Family-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder, Clinician Guide

Bipolar spectrum disorders are characterized by severe mood dysregulation, rage, irritability, and depression, along with low self-esteem and interpersonal struggles. Children with bipolar symptoms also tend to have poor academic performance and disruptive school behavior, and their families often experience strained relationships and increased conflict.

RAINBOW: A Child- and Family-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder presents a 12-session family-based treatment intervention for children aged 7-13 with bipolar spectrum disorders. The CFF-CBT/RAINBOW program comprises four innovative aspects in that it: (1) is designed to be developmentally specific to children in this age group; (2) is driven by the distinct needs of these children and their families; (3) involves intensive work with parents parallel to the work with children in order to directly address parents' own therapeutic needs, as well as helping them develop an effective parenting style for their child; and (4) integrates psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and interpersonal therapy techniques, tailored to the unique needs of these children, to augment the effects of pharmacotherapy. This Clinician Manual includes a conceptual overview for each session as well as step-by-step instructions for clinicians with all accompanying handouts, worksheets, and in-session games/activities. It provides clinicians with a comprehensive set of tools and a structured approach to guiding children and families. RAINBOW has been shown to significantly reduce mood symptoms and improve overall functioning for children with bipolar spectrum disorders.

Amy E. West, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Institute for Juvenile Research, University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research and clinical interests focus on the use of family-based psychosocial interventions in the treatment of pediatric mood disorders. Dr. West also has research interests in the developmental psychopathology of mood disorders in children, treatment mechanisms in psychosocial interventions, suicidal behavior in pediatric bipolar disorder, and developing psychosocial treatments that are culturally-relevant to unique populations. Dr. West developed the CFF-CBT RAINBOW treatment manuals and was the lead investigator on the clinical trial to test the treatment's efficacy.

Sally M. Weinstein, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry and a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the Pediatric Mood Disorders Program in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is engaged in programs of research investigating the psychosocial treatment of children with bipolar disorder and the assessment and treatment of suicidality within pediatric bipolar disorder. Dr. Weinstein also provides clinical evaluations and treatment for children and adolescents with mood disorders and facilitates the CFF-CBT/RAINBOW group therapy program for children with bipolar disorder.

Mani N. Pavuluri, MD, PhD, is Professor and Founding Director of the Pediatric Mood Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Pavuluri is Board Certified in General and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Dr. Pavuluri integrates precision psychopharmacotherapy with CBT in treating children and families with mood disorders.