This program is for youth who are 7 to 17 years old and have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or have reported symptoms of anxiety and their parents.

Cool Kids (School Version), a school- and family-based cognitive behavior therapy program, is designed to reduce symptoms of anxiety among participants.

An internal, randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted on the program found significant positive effects at posttest and at the 4-month follow-up for children living in low socioeconomic areas. Children participating in the Cool Kids (School Version) program reported a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and in thoughts of personal failure and beliefs of physical and social threat. Teachers also reported reductions in anxious behaviors among children and adolescents who were participating in the program. An additional internal RCT found significant reductions in youth- and parent-reported youth anxiety symptoms and parent-reported youth impairment from anxiety at posttest. Results were maintained at a 1-year follow-up.

Cool Kids (School Version) intends to help participants identify emotions and feelings that are associated with anxiety, confront thoughts of nervousness, and overcome fear associated with particular events or interactions. This program consists of the following components:

• Child Sessions - Discuss topics, such as understanding anxiety, using cognitive restructuring to challenge anxious thoughts, engaging in gradual exposure therapy, developing social and assertiveness skills, and dealing with teasing. Sessions can assist children in learning skills, such as comprehending the connection between thoughts and feelings, thinking realistically, being self-rewarding, using problem-solving skills, facing fear, and managing anxiety.
• Parent Sessions - Identify the concepts covered in child sessions and learn anxiety management strategies and skills.
• Individual Parent Consultations - Examine information regarding the child’s fears and anxieties and receive one-on-one support that explains how to apply newly learned skills in dealing with his or her child’s behavior.

Adaptations of the Cool Kids program have been made for youth who have been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

The Cool Kids program has been implemented since 1993. The extent to which the School Version has been implemented is unclear.

Facilitators should have a minimum of a 4-year undergraduate or 2-year postgraduate degree in health or education and should be trained in cognitive behavioral therapy. Training and accreditation are required to facilitate this program. A 6-hour, online training course costs $300 per person, completion of accreditation costs $300 per person, and materials cost $99.95. Please contact ceh.info@mq.edu.au to learn more.

Considerations for implementing this program include recruiting and retaining qualified facilitators and arranging for them to complete training and accreditation, acquiring parent and child buy-in, ensuring program sessions are delivered with fidelity, locating space to hold program sessions, and possibly providing child care during sessions for younger children.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing Cool Kids (School Version), the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Children participate in eight to ten 1-hour sessions. Parents participate in two 2-hour parent-information sessions and one or two individual consultations.

To implement this program, the facilitator will need the Cool Kids School Kit, which includes a therapist manual and one copy each of the parent and child workbooks. Each participant will require his or her own workbook. Please use details in the Contact section for specific information on costs.

To move the Cool Kids (School Version) program to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one external evaluation must be conducted that demonstrates positive effects lasting at least two years from the beginning of the program or at least one year from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact the Macquarie University Emotional Health Clinic by mail Australian Hearing Hub, Level 1, 16 University Ave., Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde, phone +61 (2) 9850 8711, email ehc.admin@mq.edu.au, or visit https://www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/centres/lifespan-health-and-wellbeing/emotional-health-clinic/treatment-programs-for-children-and-teens/cool-kids

https://www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/centres/lifespan-health-and-wellbeing/emotional-health-clinic/treatment-programs-for-children-and-teens/cool-kids