What is Cool Kids anxiety treatment?

Cool Kids is an evidence-based treatment programme developed for children and adolescents with anxiety. The programme is based on cognitive behavioural therapy and helps children understand, manage and overcome their anxiety through a structured, step-by-step approach.

Cool Kids is based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). In its national clinical guideline from 2016, the Danish Health Authority recommends CBT as the first-line treatment rather than medication for social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety and generalised anxiety disorder in children and adolescents.

The programme is adapted to children’s developmental level and includes practical exercises, games and examples that make it easier for children to relate to and apply the strategies they learn. Parents play an active role throughout the programme, which increases the likelihood of successful outcomes.

Who can take part in Cool Kids?

Cool Kids is designed for children and adolescents aged 7–17 who experience different forms of anxiety. This may include generalised anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, specific phobias or school refusal. Parents also participate actively in the programme, making it a family-based intervention.

How does Cool Kids work?

The Cool Kids programme consists of 10 sessions, each lasting 2 hours. Each session focuses on specific techniques and strategies that help children and adolescents manage their anxiety.

The main elements of the programme include:

• Psychoeducation: An introduction to what anxiety is and how it affects the body and thoughts.
• Cognitive restructuring: Learning to recognise and challenge negative thoughts that increase anxiety.
• Gradual exposure: Facing feared situations gradually in a safe and controlled way.
• Skills training: Practical tools for managing anxiety in everyday life.

Parents take part in separate sessions where they learn how best to support their child throughout the process.

What is gradual exposure?

Gradual exposure is a central part of the Cool Kids programme. It involves gradually exposing the child or adolescent to situations that cause anxiety in a safe and controlled environment. The aim is to reduce the anxiety response over time and build confidence in handling challenging situations.

Which anxiety disorders can Cool Kids help with?

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

• Generalised anxiety
• Social anxiety
• Separation anxiety
• Specific phobias, such as fear of animals, darkness or medical appointments
• Panic disorder
• School refusal
• Health anxiety

The programme is adapted to the individual participant’s needs so that treatment is targeted and effective.

The role of parents in Cool Kids

Parental involvement is an important part of the Cool Kids programme. As a parent, you learn:

• How anxiety develops and is maintained in children.
• How to support your child without unintentionally reinforcing the anxiety.
• Strategies for helping your child with exposure exercises.
• How to avoid common pitfalls.

Parents are actively involved because this supports the child’s progress and overall benefit from the programme.

How effective is Cool Kids?

A Danish study from Aarhus University, in which Cool Kids was tested with 109 children, found that around two out of three no longer met the criteria for their anxiety diagnosis after completing the programme.

Cool Kids is one of the most well-documented treatments for childhood anxiety. Research shows that around 70% of children and adolescents who complete the programme no longer meet the criteria for their anxiety diagnosis after treatment. Many experience improvements after the first sessions, and the benefits may continue over the longer 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 Health Authority (2016). National clinical guideline for the treatment of anxiety in children and adolescents.