Treatment of childhood anxiety: developmental aspects

This review focuses on research on the cognitive-behavioral treatment of childhood anxiety disorders. Early forms of therapy for childhood anxiety were borrowed from adult treatment models. More recently, there has been a recognition of the need to design treatment from a child-based perspective. Consequently, several cognitive-behavioral programs designed specifically for children and youth have been both developed and evaluated. The importance of parental involvement has also been recognised in these treatment innovations. However, a number of developmental factors have yet to be given adequate consideration in both the research and practice of childhood anxiety treatment. The article highlights some of these factors including issues of individual, family and cultural variation.