What is Cool Kids anxiety treatment?

Cool Kids is an evidence-based treatment program developed for children and adolescents with anxiety. It is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and helps children understand, manage, and overcome their anxiety through a structured, step-by-step approach. In its national clinical guidelines (2016), the Danish Health Authority recommends CBT as the first-line treatment - over medication - for social phobia, separation anxiety, and generalized anxiety in children and adolescents.

The program is adapted to the child's developmental level and includes practical exercises, games, and relatable examples that make it easier for them to apply the new strategies. Parents play an active role in the process, which significantly increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Who can participate in Cool Kids?

Cool Kids is aimed at children and adolescents aged 7-17 who experience various forms of anxiety. These can include generalized anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, specific phobias, or school refusal. Parents also actively participate in the program, making it a collaborative family effort.

How does Cool Kids work?

The Cool Kids program is structured around 10 sessions, each lasting 2 hours. Each session focuses on specific techniques and strategies that help children and adolescents manage their anxiety.

The key elements of the program include:

Psychoeducation: An introduction to what anxiety is and how it affects the body and mind.

Cognitive restructuring: Learning to recognize and challenge the negative thoughts that reinforce anxiety.

Gradual exposure: Confronting feared situations at a safe and controlled pace.

Skills training: Practical tools for managing anxiety in everyday life.

Parents participate in separate sessions where they learn how to best support their child through the process.

What is gradual exposure?

Gradual exposure is a central component of the Cool Kids program. It involves slowly exposing the child or adolescent to the situations that cause anxiety within a safe and controlled environment. The goal is to reduce the anxiety response over time and build confidence to handle challenging situations.ns.

What anxiety disorders can Cool Kids help with?

Cool Kids is designed to help with a wide range of anxiety disorders, including:

• Generalized anxiety
• Social anxiety
• Separation anxiety
• Specific phobias (e.g. fear of animals, the dark, or visiting the doctor)
• Panic attack
• School refusal
• Health anxiety

The program is adapted to the needs of the individual participant so that the treatment is targeted and effective.

The role of parents in Cool Kids

Parental involvement is a crucial part of the Cool Kids program. As a parent, you will learn:

• How anxiety arises and is maintained in children.
• How to best support your child without reinforcing their anxiety.
• Strategies to help your child with exposure exercises.
• How to avoid typical pitfalls.

Parents are actively involved because it supports the child's benefit from the process.

How effective is Cool Kids?

A Danish study from Aarhus University, where Cool Kids was tested on 109 children, showed that about two out of three no longer met the criteria for an anxiety diagnosis after completing the course. Overall, Cool Kids is one of the best-documented treatments for childhood anxiety. Research consistently shows that around 70% of children and adolescents who complete the program no longer meet the criteria for their primary anxiety diagnosis by the end of treatment. Many experience improvements within the first few sessions, and the positive effects persist long-term.

Sources:

- Arendt, K., Thastum, M. & Hougaard, E. (2016). Efficacy of a Danish version of the Cool Kids program: A randomized wait-list controlled trial. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 133(2), 109-121. - Danish National Board of Health (2016). National clinical guideline for the treatment of anxiety in children and adolescents.