Relapse Prevention Techniques in the Treatment of Childhood Anxiety Disorders: A Case Example

Abstract

Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious treatment for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. CBT incorporates tech- niques such as cognitive restructuring and exposure, which foster symptom reduction. While these components promote sustained fear reduction, greater attention to relapse preven- tion (RP) may be warranted, particularly given the comor- bidity associated with anxiety disorders. A case example demonstrates a comprehensive relapse prevention (RP) com- ponent. Specifically, parental involvement was emphasized as well as the creation of a bound book that consolidated skills and provided a concrete resource for potential future anxious episodes.