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Online CBT in the Treatment of Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders: Issues in the Development of BRAVE–ONLINE and Two Case Illustrations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2008

Susan H. Spence ,
Caroline L. Donovan ,
Sonja March ,
Amanda Gamble ,
Renee Anderson ,
Samantha Prosser ,
Amy Kercher  and
Justin Kenardy
Susan H. Spence*
Affiliation:
Griffith University, Australia
Caroline L. Donovan
Affiliation:
Griffith University, Australia
Sonja March
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Australia
Amanda Gamble
Affiliation:
Macquarie University, Australia
Renee Anderson
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Australia
Samantha Prosser
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Australia
Amy Kercher
Affiliation:
Macquarie University, Australia
Justin Kenardy
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Australia
*
Reprint requests to Susan Spence, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland 4222, Australia. E-mail: s.spence@griffith.edu.au
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Abstract

This paper describes the rationale for and development of an online cognitive-behavioural treatment for child and adolescent anxiety (BRAVE–ONLINE). It highlights the challenges involved in adapting a clinic-based intervention for delivery using the internet, with separate sessions for parents and their children (or adolescents). We outline strategies to ensure that young people remain engaged in online therapy, and describe techniques designed to optimize the alliance between clients and the online therapist. Two case studies are presented that illustrate the practical and technical aspects of implementing the intervention, and demonstrate the feasibility of achieving successful outcomes using online delivery of CBT for child and adolescent anxiety. However, firm conclusions regarding the efficacy of this approach cannot be drawn until the results of randomized controlled trials are available. The paper identifies directions for future research.

Keywords

Anxietycognitive behaviour therapyinternetonlinecomputer
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 36 , Issue 4: Anxiety of Childhood and Adolescence , July 2008 , pp. 411 - 430
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2008

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