Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents

by Ronald Rapee PhD, Ann Wignall D Psych, Susan Spence PhD, Vanessa Cobham PhD, Heidi Lyneham PhD

Overview

With more than 150,000 copies sold, this fully revised and updated edition of the classic self-help guide for parents offers cutting-edge, proven-effective techniques for helping your child overcome anxiety and thrive.

Most children are afraid of the dark. Some fear monsters under the bed. But at least ten percent of children have excessive fears and worries―phobias, separation anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder―that can hold them back and keep them from fully enjoying childhood. If your child suffers from any of these forms of anxiety, this book offers new, practical, and evidence-based proven tools that can help.

Now in its third edition, Helping Your Anxious Child has been expanded and updated to include the latest research and techniques for managing child anxiety, and includes new information on helping very young children and adolescents; as well as anxiety in children with behavioral problems, learning difficulties, or medical conditions. The book offers proven-effective skills based in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and mindfulness and relaxation techniques to aid you in helping your child overcome intense fears and worries. You'll also find out how to relieve your child's anxious feelings while parenting with compassion.

Parents will learn:

• How to help your child practice “detective thinking” to recognize irrational worries
• What to do when your child becomes frightened
• How to expose your child gently and gradually to challenging situations
• How to help your child learn important social skills

 

Also included are links to a free downloadable workbook for parents, and an activity book for kids. The kid-friendly, illustrated activity book will help your child take an active role in learning to manage their anxiety, as they learn and practice the skills outlined in Helping Your Anxious Child.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684039913
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	328
Sales rank:	139,603
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Ronald M. Rapee, PhD, is distinguished professor in the school of psychological sciences at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia; and director of the Centre for Emotional Health. He has been involved in an advisory capacity with the DSM-IV and DSM-5, and has sat on both public and scientific advisory committees for national and international organizations. He is developer of Cool Kids, a scientifically proven treatment program for anxious young people that is used by health departments, therapists, and organizations in over thirty countries.


Ann Wignall, DPsych, was principal clinical psychologist at Northern Sydney Health, and service manager for child and youth mental health. She established the Child & Adolescent Anxiety Clinic at Royal North Shore Hospital in 1995, and ran national training programs for treatment and early intervention in anxiety and depression.


Susan H. Spence, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of child and adolescent anxiety and depression. She is an emeritus professor at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia; and has a strong international reputation, having received several significant awards for her contribution to youth mental health.


Vanessa Cobham, PhD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of anxiety and post-traumatic stress in children and adolescents. She is a professor at The University of Queensland, and an advanced clinical psychologist within Children’s Health Queensland’s Child and Youth Mental Health Service. She is from Brisbane, Australia.


Heidi Lyneham, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and researcher who focuses on assessment and treatment of emotional difficulties in children and families, particularly in improving access to services. She is clinic director at the Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Understanding Anxiety 9

Chapter 2 Feelings, Thoughts, and Actions 43

Chapter 3 Detective Thinking 55

Chapter 4 Parenting an Anxious Child 97

Chapter 5 Facing Fear to Fight Fear 143

Chapter 6 Simplifying Detective Thinking and Creative Stepladders 179

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting Stepladders 203

Chapter 8 Social Skills and Assertiveness 223

Chapter 9 Relaxation 251

Chapter 10 Taking Stock and Planning for the Future 273

Chapter 11 Looking Forward: The Teen Years 295

References 313

Editorial Reviews

“In a world awash with information for parents, it is a great pleasure to recommend a book soundly based on the best available scientific evidence. The authors are leading researchers who also bring the practical know-how that comes with extensive clinical experience to produce an immensely readable book packed with practical ideas and advice for parents of children struggling with anxiety.”
—Warren Cann, CEO of the Parenting Research Centre, and founding director of www.raisinghildren.net.au

Warren Cann

“Anyone looking for effective strategies to help an anxious child will find that this book is an absolutely incredible resource—it is packed with user-friendly tools to help families understand anxiety, and it will equip children with the essential skills they need to approach new situations with confidence and joy. I highly recommend this book for all parents looking to support children by putting anxiety-reducing strategies into action!”
—Donna B. Pincus, PhD, CAS Feld Family Professor of Teaching Excellence, and professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University

Donna B. Pincus

“I highly recommend Helping Your Anxious Child to parents who are serious about empowering themselves and their children to understand anxiety. The authors clearly lay out structured steps you can use to guide and support your child. The readings and activities in the book are based on decades of research about anxiety and anxiety conditions. The activities for parents and children are relevant and can be used in everyday life.”
—Judith Law, CEO of Anxiety Canada Association—a national mental health charity based in Vancouver, ON, Canada

Judith Law

“In Helping Your Anxious Child, parents are provided a step-by-step guide for assisting their children in overcoming a panoply of worries, fears, and anxieties. The strategies described are well-established ones, backed by considerable scientific support. Parents will find this book engaging, easy to read, and full of important ideas about how best to help their children.”
—Thomas H. Ollendick, PhD, University Distinguished Professor in the department of psychology at Virginia Tech

Thomas H. Ollendick

“The authors have produced a timely and informative book for parents of children with anxiety disorders. The book is based on many years of the authors’ invaluable research, and is perfectly linked to their extensive and rich clinical experience. The many illustrative examples and helpful worksheets make the book a must-read for all parents who struggle to help their children overcome fears and become confident.”
—Silvia Schneider, PhD, professor of clinical child and adolescent psychology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany, and director of the Center of Research and Treatment of Mental Health

Silvia Schneider

“Readers are in excellent hands with Helping Your Anxious Child. It is written by leading international experts in child anxiety who together have worked with thousands of families where children have struggled with anxiety. The strategies they describe have been tried and tested in their many rigorous studies. But critically for busy families, the style of the book is extremely practical and, most importantly, written with empathy, compassion, and hope.”
—Cathy Creswell, professor of developmental clinical psychology at the University of Oxford, and coauthor of Helping Your Child with Fears and Worries

Cathy Creswell

In Helping Your Anxious Child, parents are provided a step-by-step guide for assisting their children in overcoming a panoply of worries, fears, and anxieties. The strategies described are well-established ones, backed by considerable scientific support. Parents will find this book engaging, easy to read, and full of important ideas about how best to help their children.”
—Thomas H. Ollendick, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor in the department of psychology, Virginia Tech

From the Publisher