Product Characteristics:

Overview of Existing Product:

The "Cool Kids Program" workbook (Lyneman et al., 2003) is a manual that leads a child and his/her parent or guardian through a course of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to help children overcome anxiety. The workbook activities are intended to help children recognize the symptoms of anxiety and overcome their feelings of anxiety by introducing them to coping strategies.

This manualized CBT program is very similar to those used in the treatment of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.

Key Features:

Informational Text:
Text interspersed throughout the book is intended to teach kids about the causes, effects, and treatments for anxiety disorder.

Assignment Activities:
Assignment activities take many forms and encourage children to identify and engage with the situations that surround their worries.

Worksheet Activities:
Various worksheet activities encourage child reflection by requesting them to articulate their worries, goals and fears on paper.

Worry Scale:
The “Worry Scale” is a graphic device (a thermometer) that allows children to visually display their worries associated with different activities.

Thought Bubbles:
Children fill out “Thought Bubbles” to help them identify thoughts associated with their worries and formulate ways of overcoming the thoughts that contribute to their anxiety.

Detective Activities:
Kids assume the role of detective as they engage in activities that investigate the causes and effects of their anxiety.

Step Plans:
Using a step ladder motif & guiding questions, children map out the specific steps they need to take to overcome specific anxiety-causing situations.