Building Confidence
A cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is provided to school-aged children, ages 6-11, who demonstrate clinically significant symptoms of a range of anxiety disorders (e.g., separation anxiety disorder). The format consists of individual child therapy combined with parent-training and involvement. Both children and their parents are taught fundamental CBT principles and techniques as well as integrating ways to build confidence through graduated learning and practice of age-appropriate self-independence skills. In-session exposures are extended into the home where parents assist children complete home-based exposures in the community by providing coaching in CBT strategies and naturalistic opportunities to practice and maintain treatment goals and effects. The intervention program also works closely with the children’s schools and teachers to promote the practice and generalization of treatment goals in the school (e.g., social anxiety).
Email: jwood@gseis.ucla.edu