What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for children & teens with anxiety?

CBT is an evidenced-based type of psychological treatment that focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Scary situations (e.g., sleeping alone in the dark) or events induce: 1) automatic thoughts (“someone will hurt me”); 2) negative feelings (e.g., fear); 3) aversive body sensations (e.g., stomach ache); and 4) avoidant behaviors (e.g., calling out, going into mom/dad’s bedroom). Dr. Rosenthal uses CBT to break this negative cycle by teaching children and parents about the power of approach vs. avoidance.

Anxiety tends to run in families, though the environment (home, school) can significantly worsen/improve symptoms. Depending on severity, treatment can include medication, psychotherapy, and/or some combination of both. Dr. Rosenthal recommends parents try psychotherapy first, and then add medication if needed.

At the start of treatment, Dr. Rosenthal will gather information from parents, the child, and other relevant parties (e.g., teachers). Then he will outline the source of the fears and his treatment plan. CBT treatment is collaborative, short-term, and includes challenging thoughts, exposure, and behavior plans. Cognitively, Dr. Rosenthal teaches children how to be “brave” and fight back against their “worry bully.” Behaviorally, fear hierarchies and gradual exposure are very effective. Finally, Dr. Rosenthal teaches parents and teachers how to implement behaviorally-oriented reward plans at home and school.

Parent Testimonials

From the mother of 5 yr old boy with Selective Mutism, Sleep Disturbance & Behavior Problems
“Our family was referred to Dr. Joshua Rosenthal by our School Psychologist after a year of our son, not talking to his teachers and various other adults. When we first met with Dr. Josh, he made us feel very comfortable by just getting to know our family and listening to us talk about our son. He then went to our son’s school to observe what was going on. Within hours of him seeing our son, he had a plan in place with the teachers and with us at home.

Once the plan was in place we saw results at school in about 1 day. We couldn’t be happier with the progress our son has made since the implementation of the plan. He has gone from not speaking at all to his teacher to engaging them in conversation. At home, we wanted to have our son stay in his bed all night, once we put Dr. Josh’s plan into action he began sleeping in his bed every night, and even said to me, “Mom, i got it” in reference to keeping himself in his own bed. Dr. Josh also help us work with our son’s anger issue and physical behavior with his brother. He gave us a plan to follow-and once we followed it we saw results within days.”

From the mother of 9 yr old boy with Specific Phobias & Sleep Disturbance
“In the fall of 2010 my son became very anxious and fearful at bedtime. The entire family was struggling with just a few hours sleep. His anxiety increased to a point, where at 4 pm, he was already worrying about bedtime. Aside from losing sleep and its impact on our daily routine, my son has a form of epilepsy where sleep deprivation can trigger seizures. Our choice was to try CBT or medications. We chose to try therapy.

Dr. Josh immediately returned my call the day I contacted him. After a parent in-take meeting I brought my son in and the work began. Dr. Josh has a great rapport with kids and my son was very comfortable meeting and discussing his fears with him. I was amazed at the pace we saw improvements. Dr. Josh gave both my son and us very easy, straight forward strategies. Within 4 weeks we were enjoying full nights of rest. My son was taught to face and overcome his fears and as parents we were taught to support and encourage his independence. By early winter my son declared he no longer needed to visit Dr. Josh and was ready to finish therapy. We occasionally reach for the strategies Dr. Josh taught us, now adapting them to different issues or frustrations. My son’s time with Dr. Josh gave him life-long empowering skills and strategies.”

About Dr. Rosenthal

Dr. Rosenthal is a New York & New Jersey licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of children, young adults and families. He maintains two offices on the UES and UWS in Manhattan where he provides individual play & cognitive-behavioral therapy, parent training, family therapy, and social skills training. Dr. Rosenthal has given grand rounds on Asperger’s Syndrome at Woodhull Medical Center and Lenox Hill Hospital, and written on the behavioral treatment of ADHD. He is the former Outreach Coordinator and Peer Counseling Program Coordinator for The City College of New York. Dr. Rosenthal is the owner and director of a special needs summer program in Manhattan for children ages 6-12 with social skills deficits. To learn more, please visit: www.DrJoshuaRosenthal.com.