Evaluation of a group therapy program for anxious children

In this study 14 children with different anxieties attended in small groups a cognitive-behavioral training program. The groups met once a week over a period of ten weeks. Outcome was evaluated with different questionnares fo r children and parents and interviews at the beginning and the end of train ing and ten weeks later. The different measures showed a significant reduct ion of self-reported anxiety. Anxious, avoident and social insecure behavio ur was also reduced. Further the negative self-talk of the children changed into more appropriate positive self-talk. As it was not possible to use an appropriate control group, the results can just be seen as hints for the e ffectivity of a cognitive-behavioral orientated group therapy program for t he treatment of various childhood anxieties. Further research under control led conditions is necessary.