Children and young people aged 7-17 experiencing anxiety disorders, and their parents. 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 of 3-6 years - see separate entry)
• child anxiety program (delivered in schools: 7-12 years)
• child anxiety program (delivered in community or private practice settings: 7-12 years)
• adolescent anxiety program (delivered in schools: 12-17 years)
• adolescent anxiety program (delivered in community or private practice settings: 7-12 years)
• program for children with high functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome (delivered in community or private practice settings: 7-12 years)

Online treatment programs:

• anxiety prevention program for parents of pre-school aged children (Cool Little Kids online for parents of 3-6 year olds)
• child anxiety program (Cool Kids online for 7-12 year olds)
• adolescent anxiety program (ChilledOut online for 12-17 year olds)

For more details about accessing the online programs: mq.edu.au/about/campus-services-and-facilities/hospital-and-clinics/centre-for-emotional-health-clinic/programs-for-children-and-teenagers

To deliver the program, facilitators must meet the following criteria:

• 4 year undergraduate or 2 year postgraduate degree in health (psychology, counselling, social work, occupational therapy) or education; and
• Additional training in cognitive-behavioural therapy (dedicated postgraduate subject, introductory workshop or online training from recognised provider).

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

To run the program, you must complete training plus an online accreditation process. For more details please see: mq.edu.au/coolkids

Face-to-face workshops are conducted twice a year at the Centre for Emotional Health, Sydney. See: openmq.com.au/courses/Health

Onsite training can be arranged by contacting: [email protected]

Online training is also available: openmq.com.au/courses?s=CKAP01

If you're from a not-for-profit/community organisation that has a large number of employees (i.e. over 15 staff) that need to be trained and accredited in Cool Kids contact [email protected]

Participants are required to have a copy of the Cool Kids Anxiety Program Kit prior to attending training. Before purchasing any materials, check the advice given on the relevant program workshop page.

One-day face-to-face training workshop: $360 standard ($330 early bird).

Online training: $300 standard.

Accreditation: $300.

A program kit costs $65 and includes:

• 1 x program manual
• 1 x parent workbook
• 1 x child workbook

Materials can be purchased from the Centre for Emotional Health: shop.centreforemotionalhealth.com.au/

The program has undergone 2 RCTS 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.

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.