Exposure Therapy for Child and Adolescent Anxiety and OCD
Abstract
Exposure is the most important component of therapy for anxiety disorders and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents. Unfortunately, few clinicians offer this treatment, making it very difficult for youth and their families to seek effective care. In this installment of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy’s Series on Implementation of Clinical Approaches, Whiteside, Ollendick, and Biggs deliver a succinct yet comprehensive guide to the use of exposure therapy with youth suffering from anxiety and OCD. Within the heart of this book, clinicians will discover a clear step-by-step model, illustrated with sample dialogue, for engaging their young patients in this most effective treatment. Detailed case examples bring to life the application of all forms of exposure (in vivo, imaginal, and interoceptive) to a wide range of anxiety and OCD presentations. Beyond teaching the mechanics for implementing exposure, the authors present a clinical model for understanding how exposure works, synthesizing the key issues from current competing theories. This model can enhance the ability of clinicians to apply exposure to new and more challenging presentations. In addition, the authors review common challenges to implementing exposure in real-world settings to assist clinicians in overcoming frequently encountered barriers. Clinicians can feel confident in the validity of the approach as the authors concisely review the foundation of history and research supporting exposure. Within this compact book, clinicians will find a comprehensive guide to build their expertise in the delivery of exposure therapy for children and adolescents suffering from anxiety disorders or OCD.
Keywords:
social phobia,
generalized anxiety disorder,
panic,
separation anxiety disorder,
specific phobia,
obsessive–compulsive disorder,
exposure therapy,
cognitive–behavioral therapy,
child,
psychotherapy
Bibliographic Information
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- Print Publication Date:
- Jan 2020
- Print ISBN-13:
- 9780190862992
- Published online:
- Feb 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med-psych/9780190862992.001.0001
Authors
Stephen P. Whiteside,
author
Associate Professor of Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Thomas H. Ollendick,
author
Director, Child Assessment Clinic, VA Tech
Bridget K. Biggs,
author
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
