Climbing your bravery ladder

This resource provides a template for children to gradually confront situations that provoke anxiety, progressing from more manageable scenarios to highly challenging ones.  

It is designed to support practitioners in ensuring that children’s exposure tasks are adequately graded and planned.

References and Further Reading

  • May, A. C., Rudy, B. M., & Matson, J. L. (2013). Evidence-based behavioral treatment of dog phobia with young children: Two case examples. Behavior Modification, 37(1), 63–79. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445512458524.
  • Fraire, M. G., Halldorsdottir, T., & Ollendick, T. H. (2017). Evidence-based interventions for specific phobias in children and adolescents. Handbook of evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents, 267-278.
  • Davis, T. E., Ollendick, T. H., & Öst, L.-G. (2019). One-session treatment of specific phobias in children: Recent developments and a systematic review. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15, 233–256. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050718-095608.
  • Flatt, N., & King, N. (2008). Building the Case for Brief Psychointerventions in the Treatment of Specific Phobias in Children and Adolescents. Behaviour Change, 25(4), 191–200. doi:10.1375/bech.25.4.191.
  • Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986). Emotional processing of fear: Exposure to corrective information. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 20–35. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.20.
  • Tolin, D. F. (2012). Face your fears: A proven plan to beat anxiety, panic, phobias, and obsessions. John Wiley & Sons.