Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments for Anxiety and Phobic Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Review

Abstract

This article provides an overview of cognitive-behavioural strategies used in the treatment of child-anxiety problems, emphasizing the need for exposure and caregiver involvement. Most of the paper focuses on developments in empirically supported cognitive-behavioral intervention protocols for generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, and school refusal. The research status of interventions for phobias and anxiety disorders of children with disabilities, a much neglected area, is also considered. Particular attention is given to randomized controlled trials. Analogue studies are not included in this particular review, thus strengthening conclusions regarding treatment efficacy. In general, cognitive and behavioral strategies appear to be useful for these distressing child-anxiety problems; however, there is a limited understanding of the active components in treatment, treatment mechanisms of change, and prediction of treatment outcome.