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Background Cognitive behavior therapy with abuse‐focused components is empirically supported for children/adolescents who have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA). We examined the extent to which community‐based psychologists use evidence‐based practices (EBP) for CSA and identified predictors of EBP use. Method Psychologists (N = 231) providing CSA treatment services to children/adolescents in Ontario (Canada) were identified through the first census of child and adolescent psychology clinicians registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Participants completed a questionnaire on treatment strategies, sociodemographics, work setting, treatment provision, and attitudes toward EBP. Data were collected between December 2009 and June 2010. Results The majority (78%) of psychologists providing CSA services reported never having received training in specific treatment approaches for this population. Only 5% of psychologists received training in the EBP of trauma‐focused cognitive behavior therapy. Multiple regressions indicated that age, theoretical orientation, continuing education, and attitudes predicted the use of an empirically based intervention for CSA. Conclusion Study findings show that few community‐based psychologists have received training in specific treatment approaches for CSA victims and very few are trained to deliver EBP for this population. There are ethical concerns about the practice of psychologists who are untrained and unsupervised doing this work. Research findings, which underline the need for training, supervision, and continuing education, need to be translated into clinical practice.

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American data suggest that there is often a lack of mental health service provision to children in the child welfare system that have experienced maltreatment and are exhibiting psychological difficulties. These data are concerning given that the existing literature unanimously concludes that children who have experienced maltreatment present with significantly higher rates of mental health difficulties than general samples of children in the community. Given that little Canadian research has been conducted in this area, this study examined the need identification and referral process made to mental health services by Ontario Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) for children who have experienced maltreatment. Findings indicate a high prevalence of mental health difficulties in this population and a limited standardized approach to the identification and assessment of these issues. It was found that the majority of children who do receive referrals to mental health services are referred to community-based psychologists. Findings regarding the tracking of community referrals and interagency collaboration were encouraging as compared to American data.

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