Treatment Modifications Based on Childhood Anxiety Diagnosis: Demonstrating the Flexibility in Manualized Treatment

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel L. Grover ◽  
Alicia A. Hughes ◽  
R. Lindsey Bergman ◽  
Julie Newman Kingery
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Relaxation Training ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
Selective Mutism ◽  
Childhood Anxiety ◽  
Separation Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Treatment Manual ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment

The current article presents suggestions for modifications to common manualized treatments to tailor the interventions to specific anxiety diagnoses and common comorbid diagnoses. The authors utilize one cognitive-behavioral treatment manual (Coping Cat; Kendall, 2000) to demonstrate appropriate clinical accommodations. As the majority of cognitive-behavioral treatment manuals contain both skill (e.g., relaxation training, cognitive restructuring, problem solving) and exposure components, suggestions for accommodations are grouped into relevant skill or exposure sections. Recommended modifications include a focus on imaginal exposure for generalized anxiety disorder, involvement of parents in the treatment of separation anxiety disorder, completion of a variety of in vivo exposures for social phobia, and involvement of school personnel in the treatment of selective mutism. Brief recommendations are also included for common comorbid symptoms of depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

scholarly journals Personalized Assessment of Anxiety and Avoidance in Children and Their Parents—Development and Evaluation of the Anxiety and Avoidance Scale for Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Lippert ◽  
Katharina Sommer ◽  
Tabea Flasinski ◽  
Verena Pflug ◽  
Angela Rölver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Childhood Anxiety ◽  
Separation Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Good Test ◽  
Specific Symptom ◽  
Childhood Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Assessment Approach

In treating childhood anxiety disorders, therapists use highly individualized anxiety hierarchies to assess anxiety-eliciting situations and to personalize treatment. In contrast, psychometric assessment of anxiety symptoms in children usually consists of standardized questionnaires, assessing either total anxiety or disorder-specific symptom scores, prioritizing comparability over individual information. To account for interindividual differences, the Anxiety and Avoidance Scale for Children (AVAC) was developed, following a precise, personalized, assessment approach. In responding to the questionnaire, children and parents identify the most anxiety-eliciting situations before starting treatment, and rate them for anxiety and avoidance. Ratings are repeated over the course of treatment. The aim of this study is to introduce the new questionnaire and present first data on psychometric properties. The AVAC was administered to 389 children with separation anxiety disorder (N = 148), social anxiety disorder (N = 110) or specific phobia (N = 131) aged 8 to 16 and their parents, along with other measures of anxiety and psychopathology before and after cognitive behavioral treatment. Results showed adequate to good test-retest reliability. The AVAC items correlated significantly with established anxiety questionnaires, indicating convergent construct validity. Regarding divergent construct validity, the AVAC showed only small correlations with externalizing symptoms, demonstrating its precision in measuring anxiety and avoidance. The questionnaire was also sensitive to change after treatment, with medium to large effects in the reduction of anxiety and avoidance. The present analyses suggest that the new personalized assessment approach with the AVAC is a reliable and valid assessment of individualized anxiety and avoidance, as well as change in those constructs over the course of CBT treatment.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioral treatment for childhood anxiety in community clinics

2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 1067-1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai-yee Lau ◽  
Charlotte Kwok-ying Chan ◽  
Johnson Ching-hong Li ◽  
Terry Kit-fong Au
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Childhood Anxiety ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Community Clinics

RAINBOW

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy E. West ◽  
Sally M. Weinstein ◽  
Mani N. Pavuluri
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Treatment Manual ◽  
Good Friend ◽  
Pediatric Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Behavioral Strategies

RAINBOW: A Child- and Family-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder is a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment manual designed specifically for children ages 7–13 with bipolar spectrum disorders and their families. Developed by experts in pediatric mood disorders and tested in a randomized clinical trial (RCT), RAINBOW integrates psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with complementary techniques from mindfulness-based intervention, positive psychology, and interpersonal therapy to address the range of therapeutic needs of families affected by this disorder. Guided by the evidence on the neurobiological and psychosocial difficulties accompanying pediatric bipolar disorder, this treatment targets the child and family across seven core components: Routine, Affect Regulation, I Can Do It, No Negative Thoughts and Live in the Now, Be a Good Friend/Balanced Lifestyle for Parents, Oh How Do We Solve This Problem, and Ways to Get Support. Throughout the treatment, the child and family will learn how to identify mood states and triggers of mood dysregulation, and develop cognitive and behavioral strategies for improving mood stability. Children will build social skills, and caregivers will develop greater balance and self-care in their own lives. The family will learn ways to use routines, problem-solving, and social support to improve overall family functioning. Intended for qualified child-focused mental health professionals, this manual includes the conceptual background of the treatment and user-friendly step-by-step instruction in delivering RAINBOW with families, including handy session outlines and engaging worksheets for the child and caregiver(s).

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