What is CBT Workbook for Kids about?
CBT Workbook for Kids is a hands-on anxiety workbook for children. It uses cognitive behavioral therapy concepts and 40+ exercises to help kids understand anxiety, manage worried thoughts, and face fears at home, at school, and out in the world.
Who wrote CBT Workbook for Kids?
CBT Workbook for Kids was written by Heather Davidson, Psy.D., BCN. The book also includes illustrations by Sarah Rebar.
What kinds of anxiety does this book help with?
This book is designed to help with a wide range of anxiety symptoms. The introduction specifically mentions generalized anxiety, panic, specific phobias, and some obsessive thoughts.
How does this workbook help kids with anxiety?
It helps kids learn how anxiety works and gives them practical tools to respond differently. The activities focus on thoughts, feelings, behaviors, coping skills, and gradually facing fears instead of avoiding them.
Does CBT Workbook for Kids teach real CBT skills?
Yes, the book teaches core CBT ideas in kid-friendly language. It covers how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect, and includes tools like STOP plans, hypothesis testing, and possible-versus-probable thinking.
Is this book mostly reading, or does it include activities kids actually do?
It is an activity-based workbook, not just a book to read straight through. Kids fill out charts, rating scales, thought exercises, brave activity plans, and calming activities like belly breathing and guided prompts.
What kinds of exercises are in CBT Workbook for Kids?
The workbook includes checklists, trigger tracking, anxiety rating scales, breathing exercises, word games, STOP plans, hypothesis testing, behavior plans, and step-by-step brave activity plans. The activities are designed to help kids practice skills in everyday situations.
Does the book cover anxiety at home and at school?
Yes, the workbook is organized around three main settings: home, school, and the world outside home. Each section helps kids identify triggers, change anxious thinking, and practice coping skills in that specific area.
Can a child use this workbook on their own?
Some children may be able to do parts of it independently, but the book says adult support is important. Depending on the child's age and reading level, a parent or grown-up may need to stay close and guide the exercises, especially at first.
Do parents need to be involved with CBT Workbook for Kids?
Yes, parent involvement is built into the book. It includes a full 'Just for Parents' section and says grown-ups are a critical part of helping a child successfully work through anxiety.
Does the book include help for parents too?
Yes, it includes a dedicated parent section with guidance on reassurance, avoidance, safety-seeking behaviors, reinforcement, when to seek professional help, and how parents can manage their own anxiety. It is meant to help families support the child more effectively.
Is CBT Workbook for Kids good for school anxiety or school refusal?
Yes, school anxiety is directly covered in the book. The author even notes that if a child has an acute issue like school anxiety or refusal, families can turn straight to the relevant section.
What if my child avoids scary situations instead of facing them?
This workbook directly addresses avoidance as part of anxiety. It teaches kids and parents how avoidance can make fears stronger and uses 'brave activities' to help children face fears gradually, starting small.
How is the workbook structured?
The book starts by explaining what anxiety is and what kids can do about it, then moves into sections for home, school, and the wider world. It also ends with a parent section, extra resources, and an index.
Is this book better for one specific fear, or for kids with anxiety in different situations?
It is designed for kids who feel anxious in different parts of daily life, not just one narrow situation. The workbook covers worries related to home, school, social situations, transitions, crowds, germs, separation, tests, and specific fears.
Will this workbook help a child learn coping skills they can use in real life?
Yes, the book focuses on practical coping tools kids can use in everyday moments. Examples include belly breathing, identifying triggers, changing anxious thoughts, asking for help, and making step-by-step plans for hard situations.
