Treating Anxiety and Panic in the School Setting

Research on Expanding Adolescents’ Access to Evidence-Based Treatment for Anxiety and Panic in Schools

We are investigating a novel way of bringing evidence based treatment for panic and anxiety to youth in middle and high schools. We have developed an interactive, web-based intervention to deliver state of the art cognitive behavioral treatment to youth aged 11-17 who meet our study criteria. We are testing the feasibility and acceptability of this web-based treatment format, and we are evaluating its potential for sustainability in schools. Adolescents and their parents are provided with access to a web-based course that teaches cognitive behavioral skills for coping with panic and anxiety. Therapists from Boston University conduct video conferencing with youth after they complete each learning module of the program. The overall aim of the grant is to increase youth’s access to state of the art treatment for anxiety disorders.