About the program

Cool Kids is a cognitive behaviour therapy program that teaches children and their parents how to manage anxiety disorders. 

Variations of the program for different groups are available including:

• Face-to-face programs:
  • anxiety prevention program for parents of pre-school aged children (Cool Little Kids for parents: 3 to 6 year – see our Cool Little Kids page)
  • child anxiety program (delivered in schools: 7 to 12 years)
  • child anxiety program (delivered in community or private practice settings: 7 to 12 years)
  • adolescent anxiety program (delivered in schools: 12 to 17 years)
  • adolescent anxiety program (delivered in community or private practice settings: 7 to 12 years)
  • program for children with high functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome (delivered in community or private practice settings: 7 to 12 years)
• Online treatment programs:
  • anxiety prevention program for parents of pre-school aged children (Cool Little Kids online for parents of 3 to 6 years)
  • child anxiety program (Cool Kids online for 7 to 12 years)
  • adolescent anxiety program (ChilledOut online for 12-17 years)

For more details about accessing the online programs visit the Macquarie directory.

Program structure

A structured 10-session program run over a minimum of 10 weeks:

• Learning about feelings and anxiety
• Detective thinking, and learning to think more realistically
• Ways that parents can help
• Fighting fear by facing fear (stepladders)
• Learning to solve a problem
• Building assertiveness and dealing with teasing 

Evaluation and effectiveness

The program has undergone 2 randomised controlled trials and several other evaluations. Children who participate in the program show improvements in school attendance, academic results, confidence, number of friends and involvement in extra-curricular activities, decreases in worry, fear and family distress. 

References

Chalfant, A., & Rapee, R.M. (2007). Treating anxiety disorders in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders: A controlled trial.  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1842-1857.

Hudson, J., Rapee, R.M., Deveny, C., et al. (2009). Cognitive-behavioral treatment versus an active control for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders: A randomized trial. Child and Adolescent Psychology, 48(5), 533-544.

Lyneham, H., & Rapee, R. M. (2006). Evaluation of therapist-supported parent-implemented CBT for anxiety disorders in rural children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 1287-1300.