Session 5: Continued Problem-Solving/Modeling Healthy Responses to Anxiety

This chapter provides a guide to continued family problem solving. It begins with a review of skills learned earlier in treatment as well as progress with the initial family issues they have begun to address. It provides a strategy for picking the next family problem to target, with an emphasis on giving the family more independence during problem solving exercises. The chapter discusses the parents’ inadvertent potential to reinforce OCD behavior in their behaviors and in their speech. Parents who are particularly anxious may have difficulty managing their emotions in the moment, even though they understand the concept of modeling. The chapter provides strategies for helping these parents navigate OCD-related situations that may trigger their anxiety. Focus of the chapter continues to skills training in emotion regulation, including in-session practice exercises and discussion of the importance of modelling healthy responses to anxiety.