Anxiety disorders are among the most common forms of psychopathology report
ed by children and adolescents. Anxiety disorders in children have debilita
ting consequences, both for the child and his/her family. In addition, rese
arch indicates that, in many cases, these disorders follow a chronic and pe
rsistent course. The efficacy of child-focused cognitive-behavioural interv
entions in the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders has been well demon
strated by recent, well-controlled research. This treatment outcome literat
ure is briefly reviewed. Most recently, however, interventions used in the
treatment of childhood anxiety disorders have taken the form of combined in
terventions aimed both at the anxious child and his or her family. This pap
er reviews two related bodies of research in presenting a case for the invo
lvement of families in the treatment of childhood anxiety. First, the etiol
ogical evidence implicating the families of anxious children in the develop
ment and/or maintenance of childhood anxiety is presented. Second, the trea
tment outcome studies that have empirically evaluated this type of combined
intervention are reviewed.