An international leader in trauma-focused mental health care is visiting Chile this week to strengthen therapeutic support for vulnerable youth—a collaboration that could set new standards for treating children exposed to violence and exploitation. Dr. Yahaira Márquez, a pediatric psychologist and professor at Rowan University, is leading a delegation to Santo Tomás University in Viña del Mar to share expertise in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a gold-standard approach for addressing the psychological scars of trafficked and abused adolescents. The visit follows growing recognition of TF-CBT’s effectiveness in Latin America, where youth trauma rates remain critically high.
Márquez’s work has been pivotal in adapting TF-CBT for diverse populations, including her ongoing research with Puerto Rican youth affected by natural disasters and systemic instability. Her upcoming visit to Chile—announced through Rowan University’s official academic profile—marks a rare opportunity for Chilean clinicians to learn directly from a researcher whose studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals like the Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma. The focus on Santo Tomás University, a leading institution in Chilean psychology education, underscores the urgency of bridging evidence-based therapy with local healthcare systems.
While the exact dates of Márquez’s visit have not been confirmed in public statements, her delegation is expected to include collaborators from the University of Puerto Rico, where she has led federally funded TF-CBT initiatives since 2024. The collaboration aligns with Chile’s recent commitments to expand mental health services for at-risk youth, as outlined in the country’s National Child Protection Plan 2026. “This isn’t just about training therapists—it’s about building resilience in communities where trauma is often invisible,” Márquez told World Today Journal in a preliminary interview, emphasizing the need for culturally adapted interventions.
Why TF-CBT? The Science Behind the Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) stands out among therapeutic approaches for its structured, child-centered design. Developed by Dr. Esther Deblinger and colleagues at Medical University of South Carolina, the model combines cognitive restructuring with psychoeducation to help children process distressing memories while regaining a sense of safety and control. Márquez’s research—including a 2026 case study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma—highlights its success with adolescents who have experienced multiple traumas, such as human trafficking, domestic violence, or displacement.
Key components of TF-CBT include:
- Trauma narratives: Guided storytelling to help children articulate their experiences in a therapeutic setting.
- Parent-child sessions: Training caregivers to reinforce coping strategies at home, critical for long-term recovery.
- Relaxation and affective regulation: Techniques to manage anxiety and emotional dysregulation.
- Cognitive processing: Challenging maladaptive thoughts (e.g., self-blame) tied to traumatic events.
Márquez’s work has demonstrated that TF-CBT can reduce PTSD symptoms by up to 60% in high-risk populations when delivered over 12–16 sessions, according to her Rowan University research profile. However, implementation challenges—such as therapist training gaps and systemic barriers—often limit access. “In Puerto Rico, we’ve seen that even well-funded programs struggle without community buy-in,” she notes. “Chile’s visit is about addressing those gaps head-on.”
Chile’s Youth Trauma Crisis: A Growing Priority
Chile has seen a 40% increase in reported child abuse cases since 2020, according to the National Service for the Rights of the Child (SENAME). While exact figures for trafficking-related trauma are harder to pinpoint due to underreporting, experts cite Viña del Mar—a coastal city with high poverty rates—as a hotspot for youth vulnerability. The region’s proximity to major ports and economic disparities creates conditions ripe for exploitation, compounded by limited mental health infrastructure.
Santo Tomás University’s decision to host Márquez’s delegation reflects a strategic shift toward preventive care. “We’ve been treating the symptoms for years, but we need to address the root causes,” says Dr. Pablo Rojas, a clinical psychologist at Santo Tomás, in a statement to local media. “Dr. Márquez’s work shows us how to do that.” The university’s Center for Child and Adolescent Psychology has already begun adapting TF-CBT protocols for Chilean Spanish, with plans to pilot the program in collaboration with SENAME.
Key challenges in Chile’s context include:
- Shortages of trained trauma therapists, particularly in rural areas.
- Stigma around mental health care, which discourages families from seeking help.
- Integration of TF-CBT with Chile’s existing healthcare system, which prioritizes acute medical care over long-term psychological support.
International Collaboration: Puerto Rico’s Lessons for Chile
Márquez’s involvement in Puerto Rico’s TF-CBT initiatives offers a blueprint for Chile’s efforts. Funded by the University of Puerto Rico and supported by federal grants, her team’s work has focused on:
- Culturally adapted materials: Therapy tools designed for Puerto Rican youth, accounting for language, family structures, and disaster-related trauma.
- School-based interventions: Training teachers to recognize signs of trauma and connect students with resources.
- Policy advocacy: Collaborating with local governments to expand mental health funding for at-risk youth.
In Chile, Márquez’s delegation will emphasize sustainable scaling—a lesson learned from Puerto Rico’s post-hurricane recovery. “After Maria, we saw how trauma compounds when communities lack basic stability,” she explains. “Chile’s focus on economic development must include mental health as a cornerstone.” The visit will include workshops for Chilean psychologists, school counselors, and social workers, with an emphasis on:
- Identifying trauma symptoms in diverse populations (e.g., indigenous youth, migrants).
- Building resilience through family and community engagement.
- Advocating for systemic changes, such as integrating TF-CBT into Chile’s public healthcare system.
What Happens Next? Tracking the Collaboration’s Impact
The Santo Tomás visit is the first phase of a broader partnership, with plans to:
- Pilot TF-CBT programs in Viña del Mar’s high-risk schools and shelters, beginning in the third quarter of 2026.
- Train 50 Chilean clinicians in TF-CBT over the next 18 months, with funding sought from international organizations like UNICEF Chile.
- Publish a Chilean adaptation of TF-CBT materials, modeled after Márquez’s work in Puerto Rico.
- Lobby for policy changes, including mandatory trauma-informed training for child welfare professionals.
The next confirmed checkpoint is a public symposium on June 15, 2026, hosted by Santo Tomás University, where Márquez and local experts will present preliminary findings and outline next steps. Attendees will include representatives from SENAME, the Chilean Ministry of Health, and international NGOs. “This is about more than a single visit—it’s about creating a movement,” Márquez says. “The goal is to make TF-CBT as accessible in Chile as it is in the U.S. And Puerto Rico.”
Key Takeaways
- TF-CBT’s effectiveness: Reduces PTSD symptoms by up to 60% in high-risk youth when delivered by trained therapists.
- Chile’s crisis: Child abuse cases rose 40% since 2020, with Viña del Mar identified as a trafficking hotspot.
- Puerto Rico’s model: Culturally adapted therapy + school/community integration = sustainable impact.
- Next steps: Pilot programs in Viña del Mar, clinician training, and policy advocacy starting mid-2026.
- Global relevance: Chile’s efforts align with WHO calls to prioritize mental health in post-disaster and high-poverty regions.
For readers interested in supporting trauma-informed care in Chile, the following resources provide additional context:
- SENAME (Chile’s National Child Protection Service)
- UNICEF Chile’s mental health initiatives
- Dr. Márquez’s research on TF-CBT
How can countries like Chile better integrate trauma therapy into public health systems? Share your thoughts in the comments—or tag @WorldTodayJrnl on X/Twitter to join the conversation. For updates on Dr. Márquez’s visit and the pilot programs, watch this space for our follow-up report in June.