How can cognitive behavioral therapy help my child with anxiety?
Anxious kids often need help to handle their fears. In this video, psychologist Dr. Tamar Chansky, who specializes in anxiety, reveals the benefits of cognitive behavior therapy for helping kids cope with anxiety.
Transcript
Perspective, that's the first step in cognitive behavior therapy. But the B for behavior is really about taking the show
on the road. [MUSIC PLAYING]
Cognitive behavior therapy is the treatment of choice for anxiety in children as well as adults.
What is wonderful about this treatment for kids though, is that it's very practical, fast, and hands-on.
The purpose of the therapy is helping kids to change and take a second look at what
their perceptions are of the thing they're anxious about. Whether that's friendships, or taking tests, or dirt
and germs, going from teaching kids that they really have a choice about how to think about a situation that their first thought is not
going to be the one that they can trust, it's not going to be accurate or reliable, that's how worry works.
And helping them to get in the habit of taking a second look and looking at the situation from a more accurate
perspective, that's the first step in cognitive behavior therapy. But the B for behavior is really about taking the show
on the road. So whatever your child is afraid of, once they've learn the skills about correcting
their misperceptions, then you really want to help them to interact in the situation. If they're afraid of dogs, you're
going to slowly expose them-- is what it's called-- to interacting with dogs. Maybe that's first at a pet shop where they are--
the dogs are behind glass in a cage or they're sleeping. A situation where a child can really take a closer look
without being afraid that they're going to have actual contact with a dog. Over time with future sessions, then you
have more and more contact. Make that contact positive. And your child really gets a sense of mastery.
Remember that kids don't want to be anxious. They really don't like avoiding things. They just don't know another way.
Cognitive behavior therapy really teaches them skills for a lifetime about what to do when you're afraid of something.
child development
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