Helpful Resource for Anxiety

2013
Prepared by: PCMH Oakville Chapter

This resource guide was developed by families for families. It is NOT intended to be a clinical guide, nor
does reference to any of the resources imply endorsement of same.
 Anxiety Children Resources

Helpful Resource for Anxiety

Prepared by: PCMH Oakville Chapter

Anxiety in Children - Summary

Mental health problems can have psychological, social and somatic problems which often
make it hard for people to deal with their daily routine and achieve their goals. Millions
of children and adolescents suffer from serious anxiety of one form or another and
frequently anxiety in young children is misdiagnosed as attention-deficit disorder (ADD).
The good news is that Anxiety is an emotional based problem; one which can be treated so
that our children can gain knowledge and build a tool-kit to support them throughout their
lives.

Epictetus, the Greek philosopher observed that people are not disturbed by things that
happen but by the view they themselves take of things that happened or their perception
of how things may come to pass in the future.

Cognitive-Behavioural-Therapy (CBT) follows the train of thought put forward by Epictetus

and other of scientifically supported works such as Dr. Albert Ellis, Ph. D who is seen as
the grandfather of CBT; that most emotional and behavioural reactions are learned. CBT
is based on this principle idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and in turn our
reactions or behaviours towards those feelings; not external things, like people, situations,
and events. Hence the goal of CBT is to help clients break the habit of unwanted
reactions and to learn new ways of responding. The benefit for youth who are afflicted
with anxiety comes from the fact they can learn methods to change the way they think,
feel, and react to stresses even if the anxiety provoking circumstances dont change.

Definition and Terms

Psychotherapy = set of clinical techniques use to improve mental health.
Counselling = psychotherapy.
Behaviour Therapy (Behaviour Modification Therapy) = changing somebody's behaviour
Classical Conditioning = creation of response to stimulus (Pavlov's dogs)
Operant Conditioning = learning through positive and negative reinforcement
Cognitive Therapy = psychotherapy aimed at changing a persons way of thinking. There
are several approaches to cognitive-behavioural therapy
a) Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
Therapy in which somebody is encouraged to examine and change irrational
thought patterns (irrational thinking) and beliefs in order to reduce
dysfunctional behaviour
b) Rational Behaviour Therapy
c) Rational Living Therapy
d) Dialectic Behaviour Therapy

Characteristics of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies

Thoughts cause Feelings and Behaviours.
Brief and Time-Limited.
Emphasis placed on current behaviour
CBT is a collaborative effort between the therapist and the client.
o Client role - define goals, express concerns, learn & implement learning
o Therapist role - help client define goals, listen, teach, encourage.

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Teaches the benefit of remaining calm or at least neutral when faced with difficult
situations. (If you are upset by your problems, you now have two problems: (1) the
problem itself, and (2) your distress
Based on "rational thought." - Fact not assumptions.
Based on assumption that most emotional and behavioural reactions are
learned. Therefore, the goal of therapy is to help clients unlearn their unwanted
reactions and to learn a new way of reacting.
Homework is a central feature of CBT This can include such activities as: Reading;
Self-help exercises; experiential activities; Journaling; Thought Stopping; Intentional
Reframing. Therapy sessions are basically training where the client tries out and uses
what they have learned.
CBT could be described as = Positive Emotional Response Teaching

http://www.gregdorter.com/toronto-therapist.html

Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) is based on the

idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour
reinforce each other and that changing our thoughts or
behaviour can make us feel better.
Introduction to Psychology, v. 1.0 by: Charles Stangor
http://catalog.flatworldknowledge.com/

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Books for Children

Title: Scaredy Squirrel (Series)

Author: Melanie Watt
Synopsis: A series of books based around a worrywart Squirrel who prefers to stay
in his safe carefully planned daily routine; however he regularly faces the
unknown.

Title: A Bad Case Of Stripes (2004)

Author: David Shannon
Synopsis: Camilla is worried about what others think of her. She is so worried
that she is breaks out with a bad case of the stripes.

Title: What To Do When You Worry Too Much (2005)

Author: Dawn Huebner
Synopsis: This is a self help book which is educating, motivating and is useful in
empowering children to overcome their overgrown worries. Work book activities
for children ages 8-12 however for younger children activities can be performed
with assistance of a caregiver.

Title: The Kissing Hand (2006)

Author: Audrey Penn
Synopsis: Reassurances for young children who fear being separated from their
parent when they go to school.

Title: Just Like You (2012)

Author: Darlene Wierski Devoe
Synopsis: A story told from the point of view of a child who is anxious and how
she just wants to be seen as a regular every day child. She tells her story to other
children, explaining that she is Just Like You.

Title: When My Worries Get Too Big (2006)

Author: Kari Dunn Buron
Synopsis: Relaxation book for children who live with Anxiety.

Title: Hole in One a tale from the Iris the Dragon Series
Author: Gayle Grass
Synopsis: 3rd book in the series which addresses anxiety disorders in children,
specifically about school and performance anxiety.

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Books for Children (Cont)

Title: Wilma Jean the Worry Machine (2012)

Author: Julia Cook
Synopsis: Offers creative strategies for parents and teachers to use that can lessen
the severity of anxiety. Goal of book is to give children the tools needed to feel
more in control of their anxiety.
Title: Wilma Jean the Worry Machine Activity and Idea Book (2012)
Author: Julia Cook
Synopsis: Easy guide to use with kids in a multitude of settings including the
classroom. Activities and Ideas (worksheets) for the child, the family and others to
use or to make copies of to give as a hand outs.

Title: The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook for Kids (2009)
Author: Lawrence Shapiro, Robin Sprague, Matthew McKay
Synopsis: Has fifty plus relaxation activities to guide you & your child to replace
anxious feelings with calming thoughts and relief from their anxious worries.

Title: Nobodys Perfect: A story for children about perfectionism (2008)

Author: Ellen Burns
Synopsis: Secretly, Sally is afraid that she is not good enough, if what she does is
not 100% perfect. Gradually, with the help of family and teachers, Sally learns to
worry less, mistakes are part of learning and that doing her best is good enough.

Title: What To Do When Good Enough Isnt Good Enough (2007)

Author: Thomas Greenspoon
Synopsis: For children who have inklings of Perfectionism it is a yoke around
their necks weighting them down. School work, relationships and self-esteem can
be hard to start or build. This book helps kids remove the yoke holding them back.

Title: Helping Your Anxious Child: A step-by-step guide for parents (2008)
Author: Ronald Rapee
Synopsis: For many children anxious worries can detract from them fully enjoying
their childhood. This book offers many tools to help your child cope with and
overcome worries monsters. Parent and Child guide/tools to help create positive
changes in your lives.
Title: Starving the Anxiety Gremlin (2012)
Author: Kate Collins-Donnelly
Synopsis: A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook for Stress Management for
Your People. A resource to help young people understand why they get anxious
and how to 'starve' their anxiety gremlin. Practical tips & activities in the
workbook can be used by young people on their own or with a parent or
practitioner. It is an ideal resource for those working with young people who have
anxiety, including, teachers, therapists, social workers and youth workers.

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Books for Children (Cont)

Title: David and the Worry Beast: Helping Children Cope with Anxiety (2007)
Author: Anne Marie Guanci and Caroline Attia
Synopsis: Learning to deal with anxiety is an important step in a child's healthy
emotional growth. Through Davids worries he is provided with support and
techniques for controlling the "worry beast" within him.
Title: Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A guide to daily happiness for kids (2006)
Author: Carol McCloud
Synopsis: This book encourages positive behaviour by introducing the concept of
filling a bucket with good actions. Your children will see how easy and rewarding
it is to express kindness, appreciation and love on a daily basis.
Title: Growing up with a bucket full of happiness (2010)
Author: Carol McCloud
Synopsis: Are you aware you carry an invisible bucket which is filled with all of
your good thoughts and feeling? This book gives you some tools to live a life filled
with happiness. Easy to read and includes easy instructions to make your own
Bucket filling Journal.
Title: I Think, I am!: Teaching Kids the power of Affirmations (2008)
Author: Louise Hay, Kristina Tracy
Synopsis: Your thoughts create your life!' is the message of the book. Kids will
learn that they can change from negative thoughts and words to those that are
positive; between negative thoughts and positive affirmations.
Title: Friends for Life Workbook: British Columbia, Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)
Author: Dr. Paula Barrett
Synopsis: school-based, anxiety prevention and resiliency program. Workbook
provides students with life skills that will strengthen resiliency and reduce the risk
of developing an anxiety problem. Program levels: (K/Gr 1), Child (Gr 4/5) and
Youth (Gr 6/7).

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Books for Parents Families Educators

Title: Worried No More: Help and Hope for Anxious Children: 2nd
Edition (2005)
Author: Aureen Pinto Wagner Ph.D.
Synopsis: Dr. Wagner brings cognitive-behavioural strategies forward for
both children and families. Worried No More is packed with information
and valuable step-by-step guidance to help children cope with worry,
school refusal, separation anxiety, excessive shyness, and more.

Title: Taming worry dragons: A manual for children, parents, and other
coaches (2009)
Author: Garland, E. Jane; Clark, Sandra L
Synopsis: Explains what anxiety is and the different types of anxiety,
including coping strategies and tips for parents and other coaches. This
program can ideally be used with children from 8 to 12 years old but can
be adapted for both younger and older children.

Title: Anxiety and the Gift of Imagination (2011)

Author: Robin Alter PhD
Synopsis: What can a parent do when constant worry and fear rob a child
of the ability to enjoy life? This book explains how a runaway
imagination can trigger needless anxiety, and offers practical tools and
strategies for regaining in control.

Title: Growing Up Brave: Expert Strategies for Helping Your Child

Overcome Fear, Stress, and Anxiety (2012)
Author: Donna B. Pincus
Synopsis: Helps to identify and understand anxiety in children, outlines
effective and convenient techniques for reducing anxiety, and shows how
to promote bravery for long-term confidence.

Title: Freeing Your Child from Anxiety (2004)

Author: Tamar E. Chansky
Synopsis: Powerful, Practical Solutions to Overcome Your Child's Fears,
Worries, and Phobias

Title: Cool Connections with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (2012)

Author: Laurie Seiler
Synopsis: A CBT based book/work book which is used to: Encouraging
Self-Esteem, Resilience and Well-Being in Children and Young People

Title: Modular Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Anxiety

Disorders
Author: Bruce F. Chorpita
Synopsis: Presents a logical approach for treating childhood anxiety using
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Especially: Part I and Part II

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Internet Based Resource Sites

eMentalHealth: Mental Health Services, Help and Support In Your Community
http://www.ementalhealth.ca/
PCMH: Parents for Childrens Mental Health (Oakville Chapter)
http://www.pcmh.ca/oakville

Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Mental Health Child & Youth Outpatient
Services
http://www.haltonhealthcare.com/programs_otmh_mental.php
http://www.youthmentalhealthhalton.ca/
Anxiety BC - Resources Results Relief
http://www.anxietybc.com/
Provides self help tool kits, brochures and newsletters to support children and youth with anxiety concerns

Canadian Mental Health Association

http://www.cmha.ca/
Anxiety In The Classroom: A resource for teachers and pre-service teachers with helpful
links and ideas about childhood anxiety in the classroom.
http://anxietyclass.blogspot.ca/2010/11/annotated-bibliography.html
Iris the Dragon Lets talk about Mental Health in the Classroom
http://www.iristhedragon.com/
Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services
http://www.woodview.ca/
Rock Reach Out Centre For Kids
http://rockonline.ca/
MAC Anxiety Research Centre
http://www.macanxiety.com/
Anxiety Disorders Association of Ontario (ADAO)
http://www.anxietydisordersontario.ca/
Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada (ADAC)
http://www.anxietycanada.ca/english/index.php
Kids Help Phone: info on panic & anxiety
http://kidshelpphone.ca/Teens/Home.aspx
Anxiety And Depression Association of America
http://adaa.org/
Childrens Mental Health Ontario
http://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/
Talk Breathe Live
http://www.talkbreathelive.com/ http://www.raisingsociallyanxiouschildrenblog.com/
Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health
http://www.excellenceforchildandyouth.ca/
Enter; key word search anxiety to find many good articles,
Article of mentionable note: We're All In This Together: Treating Anxious Children & Their
Families
Taking Care: Child and Youth Mental Health
http://takingcare.knowledge.ca/intro.html
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Videos and TV Series

Parent for Childrens Mental Health (PCMH) Outstanding Videos
On this site you will find many videos which bring to light the struggles journey of families
coping with children and youth with mental health disorders.
To date there are 9 video posts
Viewable at: http://www.pcmh.ca/videos

Fighting Their Fears: Child & Youth Anxiety

By: Melanie Wood
National Film Board of Canada
NFB ID# 113C9104249
Viewable at: http://takingcare.knowledge.ca/intro.html

Health: How Kids Can Cope With Anxiety

By: Dr. Robin Alter
The Morning Show: Global
http://www.globaltoronto.com/Pages/MorningSegment.aspx?id=6442598933

Childhood Anxiety and Imagination - Fresh Air

Fresh Air's Mary Ito talked with child psychologist Dr. Robin Alter about her new book,
"Anxiety and the Gift of Imagination
http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/Ontario/Fresh+Air/ID/2276887129/

Age of Anxiety
CBC - Doc Zone: Anxiety is being called the disease of the 21st century
http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/episode/age-of-anxiety.html#