Undertook an evaluation of a cognitive-behavioral group family-based interv
ention for childhood anxiety disorders in Brisbane, Australia. The treatmen
t aimed to provide children and their families with skills in the managemen
t of anxiety and avoidance, problem solving, and mutual family support. Chi
ldren (n = 60) ranging from 7 to 14 years old who fulfilled diagnostic crit
eria for separation anxiety, overanxious disorder, or social phobia were ra
ndomly allocated to 3 treatment conditions: group cognitive-behavioral ther
apy (GROUP-CBT) group cognitive-behavioral therapy plus family management (
GROUP-FAM), and wait list (WL). The effectiveness of the interventions was
evaluated at posttreatment and 12-month follow-up, Results indicated that a
cross treatment conditions, 64.8% of children no longer fulfilled diagnosti
c criteria for an anxiety disorder in comparison with 25.2% of children on
the wait list. At 12-month FU, 64.5% of children in the GROUP-CBT group and
84.8% of children in the GROUP-FAM group were diagnosis free. Comparisons
of children receiving GROUP-CBT with those receiving GROUP-FAM on self-repo
rt measures and clinician ratings indicated marginal added benefits from GR
OUP-FAM treatment. Results show that CBT interventions for childhood anxiet
y disorders can be effectively administered in a group format.