| Although Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is generally recognized as the gold standard for the treatment of anxiety disorders, as many as one-third to one-half of children do not benefit from it. Children diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), who have received CBT, have demonstrated poorer treatment outcomes, as well as a slower rate of change compared to children diagnosed with other disorders. The present study introduces a novel parent-child CBT treatment manual for pediatric SAD that incorporates Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) interventions. Using a demonstration project design, the treatment manual is based upon a review of the current literature and incorporates feedback from three expert reviewers. The goal of the treatment manual is to enhance treatment outcomes and the generalization of skills by addressing accommodating parent-child dynamics and interactions and the transfer of control from the clinician to the child and his/her parents. To achieve this goal, the manual focuses upon education, addressing accommodation, skills, and exposures. Special consideration also was paid recommendations within the literature for enhancing parent-child CBT outcomes, as outcomes have varied significantly. This study resulted in a therapist manual that describes a 15-week treatment protocol, consisting of weekly parent-child and child-only sessions. |
