Evidence-based practice for childhood anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents. Empirical evidence suggests that the majority of youth will show clinically meaningful benefits after a short-term course of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This article presents an update on the status of this treatment literature and provides clinicians with a description of specific CBT strategies. A case example illustrating the implementation of these strategies is also included. Tips for managing frequently encountered obstacles and a clinical algorithm for sequencing strategies are discussed.