Parent/carer information sheet (Fear/phobia)
This worksheet is designed to guide caregivers in supporting their child’s graded exposure activities. The resource explains the importance of initially selecting situations that only provoke mild anxiety, and encouraging the child to remain in the situation until anxiety naturally decreases.
It also highlights the significance of avoiding distractions and safety behaviours, allowing the child to experience a full rise and fall in anxiety. By repeating exposure and moving at a manageable pace, caregivers can help reinforce the child’s confidence and belief in their ability to face fears safely.
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.
- 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.