WE ARE BUILDING A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN HEALING
At Little Warriors, research is not just data — it’s proof of healing, resilience, and hope. Through Measurement-Based Care (MBC), we continually evaluate and improve our Be Brave Ranch treatment programs. This ensures that every child and teen receives the most effective, evidence-based care possible.
Our partnership with the University of Alberta’s Department of Psychiatry and leadership from our Scientific and Clinical Council means our programs are held to the highest clinical standards.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Child sexual abuse leaves deep scars, but healing is possible. By measuring outcomes in real time, we don’t just hope for change. We track progress, demonstrate impact, and continuously refine care.
At the Be Brave Ranch, therapists use Greenspace data to understand each child’s symptom patterns and guide treatment decisions. These progress-tracking tools allow clinicians to identify areas of concern, monitor improvement, and adjust care as needed.
In the example shown, the column on the left (highlighted in yellow) represents graduating scores. The columns to the right show scores from baseline (highlighted in purple) through to the start of the graduating round (highlighted in blue), illustrating measurable change over time.
This approach strengthens an evidence-based model of care that is unique in Canada and increasingly recognized as a standard of excellence internationally.
THE IMPACT OF HEALING
Research proves what we see every day: intensive, trauma-informed treatment transforms lives.
PUBLISHED RESEARCH & UPDATES
Peer-Reviewed Studies
Children and Youth Services Review
- Scoping review of interventions addressing suicidal thoughts, attempts, and self-injury in youth (ages 10–19) with histories of child sexual abuse.
- Screened 1,139 records; 13 studies met inclusion criteria, covering 4,012 adolescents.
- 11 of 13 studies reported reduced suicidal ideation post-treatment; 6 reported fewer
- suicide attempts; 4 reported reduced self-injury.
- Read the publication ->
PLOS ONE
- Study of 201 graduates of the Be Brave Ranch one-year multimodal treatment program.
- Results after treatment:
- Children: 30% reduction in PTSD, 25% reduction in depression, 20% reduction in anxiety.
- Adolescents: more than 35% reduction across PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
- Adolescent suicidality decreased by 44%.
- Read the publication ->
Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Study of 27 adolescent females (average age 14).
- Results after just one round of treatment:
- 20% reduction in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms.
- 20% improvement in quality of life and self-esteem.
- Read the publication ->
Child Abuse & Neglect Journal
- Child Program (82 participants, average age 11):
- 35% improvement in depression symptoms.
- 25% improvement in PTSD and anxiety symptoms.
- Adolescent Program (69 participants, average age 14):
- 30% improvement in PTSD and anxiety symptoms.
- Nearly 20% improvement in depression and self-esteem.
- Results were sustained throughout the first half of treatment
- Read the publication ->
Social Return on Investment (SROI) Study
Conducted by the Little Warriors Scientific and Clinical Committee.
- For every $1 invested, the Be Brave Ranch saves $11 in social and healthcare costs.
- For every $1 million invested, more than $11 million is saved.
- Study: Five-year cost savings of a multimodal treatment program for child sexual abuse (CSA): A social return on investment study.
- Read the study ->
Other Publications
- Access to Therapy for CSA Survivors: Barriers and Facilitators Between Caregivers ->
- Early Mental Health Foundations: A Scoping Review of Reflective Functioning in Caregiver–Child Dyads ->
- A Novel 2-Week Intensive Multimodal Treatment Program for CSA Survivors (Females Aged 13–16) ->
- Cognitive Improvements in CSA Survivors Following Multimodal Treatment: MyCognition Quotient ->
- A Complex Multimodal 4-Week Residential Treatment Program Significantly Reduces PTSD Symptoms: The Be Brave Ranch ->
- Design of a Comprehensive One-Year Program at the Be Brave Ranch to Help Children Who Have Been Victims of Sexual Abuse ->
This work was supported by Mitacs through the Mitacs Elevate Program.
