Parent-Led CBT for Child Anxiety

“This book fills an important gap by helping therapists to empower parents with the skills and confidence to help their anxious child. Creswell and her coauthors give us a science-based, engaging, extremely practical book that is underpinned by years of experience. Detailed exercises and case examples ensure that any therapist will deliver consistent results. The strategies in this book will change the lives of children with anxiety disorders and their families.”

—Ronald M. Rapee, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychology and founding director, Center for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Australia


“Creswell et al. have harnessed their collective talent and considerable clinical experience in this eminently readable, highly useful guide. Unlike most treatments for anxious children—which are directed primarily, if not exclusively, to the children themselves—this approach is oriented toward the parents. By actively and collaboratively engaging the parents, the clinician can bypass many barriers to effective treatment with children. The approach is developmentally sensitive, contextually informed, evidence based, and low intensity (four of the eight sessions can be conducted by telephone). This is an impressive book with considerable potential.”

—Thomas H. Ollendick, PhD, ABPP, University Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech


“Creswell and colleagues present an efficient and effective CBT-based program that enables parents to help their children overcome the distress and functional impairment associated with problematic anxiety. Clearly written and well organized, this book guides providers at all levels through each step of the treatment process, from the initial assessment through relapse prevention. It contains a multitude of useful charts, figures, and case examples.”

—John C. Piacentini, PhD, ABPP, Director, Childhood OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior


“A succinct, incredibly practical, and well-written book. Therapists get knowledge and tools for working effectively with parents of children struggling with anxiety. I hope that many parents have the opportunity to experience this empowering approach.”

—Wendy K. Silverman, PhD, ABPP, Alfred A. Messer Professor of Child Psychiatry and Director, Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine


“When I teach Introduction to Child and Family Therapy, one of the first questions that comes up is how to work with parents. This book is the best resource for students seeking answers to this question. It is so clear, scientifically grounded, and clinically useful that I strongly recommend it as a supplemental text and a resource for clinicians at all levels. Teaching parents how to implement the skills that therapists have been studying for years will expand the reach of our efforts with anxious children, and, most probably, will improve our outcomes.”

—Eduardo L. Bunge, PhD, Clinical Psychology PhD Program, Palo Alto University


“I can't wait to use this book in my practice with parents! The authors present a clear, step-by-step, evidence-based guide for therapists. With this book, practitioners can teach parents (who often believe erroneously that reassuring their anxious child will help) to foster their child’s independence, 'curiosity' about his or her worries, and testing of possible solutions. Parents will see their children gain perspective, mastery, and confidence as their fears decrease.”

—Cynthia G. Whitham, MSW, LCSW, private practice, Los Angeles, and Director, UCLA Parenting and Children's Friendship Program, University of California, Los Angeles