Facing your panic

This resource introduces ‘Graded Exposure,’ a foundational CBT technique designed to help clients gradually confront their panic-inducing thoughts and sensations.

In a child-friendly way, it explains how avoidance can provide immediate relief but reinforce the cycle of panic over time, maintaining the client’s distress.  

References and Further Reading

  • James, A. C., Reardon, T., Soler, A., James, G., & Creswell, C. (2020). Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013162.pub2.
  • Barrett , P. M , Duffy , A. L. , Dadds , M. A. , & Rapee , R. M. ( 2001 ). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders in children: Long-term (6-year) follow-up . Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69 , 135 – 141.
  • Waters, A. M., Potter, A., Jamesion, L., Bradley, B. P., & Mogg, K. (2015b). Predictors of Treatment Outcomes in Anxious Children Receiving Group Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy: Pretreatment Attention Bias to Threat and Emotional Variability During Exposure Tasks. Behaviour Change, 32(03), 143–158.
  • Peterman, J. S., Carper, M. M., & Kendall, P. C. (2016). Testing the Habituation-Based Model of Exposures for Child and Adolescent Anxiety. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, pp. 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2016.1163707.