Developing an Integrated Art and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Program for Approach to Paediatric Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

The internalizing nature of anxiety disorders make them been under recognized by parents and teachers and so become under attended by school counsellors and subsequently under referred to clinicians. Their wide-spectrum educational side effects include low level of academic achievement and failure in social interactions. Application of CBT, the most common non-medical treatment of anxiety in some studies, has not been enough efficient for middle childhood age. In addition, the time and economic burden of long term CBT for Anxiety Disorders is not acceptable for a lot of parents with middle or low socio economic status and also some school administrators. This study aimed to design a short term program of art and cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety disorders in educational settings. This six-session-program is based on psycho-developmental demands of students. Time and financial issues of this eclectic therapy can be modified based on school and family facilities.