thinkSMARTⓇ for Black Youth Study
Does your teen struggle with planning, organization, or getting started? Do you know what you need to do, but still have trouble doing it? Is school and daily life feeling harder to manage than it should?
Join Our thinkSMARTⓇ for Black Youth Study!
This UCLA voluntary research study is focused on Black adolescents and families and is exploring a virtual program designed to strengthen executive functioning skills. Executive functioning skills help with everyday tasks like staying organized, keeping track of time, getting started on schoolwork, following through on plans, and managing multiple demands. This program is an educational intervention designed to help Black adolescents build practical executive functioning skills for daily life in a comfortable support environment!
As part of the study, families may be invited to participate in a virtual group program and complete questionnaires and feedback activities that help us understand how well the program fits the needs and experiences of Black youth and families. We are especially interested in learning what feels helpful, relevant, and supportive, and how this kind of program can best serve Black adolescents.
The program is based on thinkSMARTⓇ, an existing skills-based intervention for adolescents,
and includes support for both youth and caregivers. Read more about the detailed results here.
About the Study
Who is this for?
Black adolescents ages 12–17 and their families
Format
A weekly virtual group-based program for youth and families
Focus Areas
Planning, organization, attention, time management, task initiation, emotion regulation, and more
Caregiver Involvement
A caregiver is asked to join for weekly group sessions with their teen
What families can expect
- Complete a brief interest form to determine potential eligibility
- Hear from the study team for more information
- Complete a short screening process if interested
- If eligible, complete consent process and baseline assessments with your teen
- After enrollment, take part in a 12-week virtual group program
- Complete study activities such as questionnaires and feedback interviews
If enrolled, total participation in the study may take about 20 to 25 or more hours across the full study period. This includes screening, baseline procedures, 12 weekly virtual sessions of about 90 minutes each, brief midpoint procedures, post-intervention procedures, and an optional exit interview.
Please note: Completing the interest form is the first step. Final eligibility will be confirmed by the study team. Completing the form does not enroll your family in the study.
Upcoming group dates
First Cohort
Expected timing: Early October, Once a week in the evenings (Exact time TBD based on participant availability)
Length: 12 weeks
Start date: TBD
Final group start date will be confirmed based on enrollment and scheduling.
Meet the Group Facilitator
I grew up in Houston and moved to California in 2016 to attend UCLA as an undergraduate student. I worked for a few years as a research assistant in a community mental health setting serving low income families in LA before coming back to UCLA where I am now completing my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
I’ve been working with the thinkSMART program and helping to facilitate thinkSMART groups for about 8 years.
I care deeply about supporting Black youth and families because I know how meaningful it is to be served by people who understand your lived experience and who reflect your community. I am especially interested in creating spaces for young people who are often underrepresented and under-supported, and in helping make programs feel practical and responsive to the needs of families they are meant to serve.
For this study, I will be supervised by two licensed clinical psychologists, Lauren Ng, PhD and Alissa Ellis, PhD.
Frequently asked questions
Is this therapy?
No. This is a research study evaluating a skills-based group program. The program focuses on teaching practical executive functioning skills, and participation does not replace care from a licensed mental health provider and does not substitute emergency or intensive mental health care.
Does filling out the form enroll us in the study?
No. Filling out the form only lets the study team know that you are interested in learning more.
Participation is voluntary. Completing this form or speaking with the study team does not enroll your child in the study, and your child will have a separate opportunity to agree or decline participation during the assent process.
Does my child need a diagnosis to participate?
Not necessarily. A member of the study team can talk with you more about fit and eligibility.
Will we have to share personal information right away?
The first form only asks for basic information. More detailed questions, if needed, will be discussed privately with the study team.
Is the group virtual or in person?
The program is currently planned as a virtual group.
How much does this program cost?
This program is free for those participating in the research study.
What to expect from assessment sessions?
Assessment sessions usually take place before the program begins and again after the program ends. Families may also be asked to complete a brief mid-program check-in. Most full assessment sessions take about 90 to 150 minutes total per family, depending on the activities included and whether they are completed in one sitting or split across more than one session.
Assessment sessions may include questionnaires for youth and caregivers, activities related to executive functioning and attention, and opportunities to share feedback about your family’s experience. Some parts may be completed online, and some may be completed live with the study team over Zoom.