Symposium 1 - Enhancing Access to and Outcomes from CBT for Anxious Children

Chair(s)

• AW

  Allison Waters, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)

  Professor
  Griffith University
  Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Discussant(s)

• RR

  Ronald Rapee, Ph.D.

  Distinguished Professor
  Macquarie University
  Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Presenter(s)

• AW

  Allison Waters, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)

  Professor
  Griffith University
  Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• 

  Carly Johnco, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)

  Associate Professor
  Macquarie University
  Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• SD

  Sophie Dickson, Other

  PhD Student
  Macquarie University
  Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Anxiety disorders are debilitating and costly mental health problems affecting young children around the world with prevalence rates rising at alarming rates. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the first-line psychological treatment for childhood anxiety disorders, yet many anxious children cannot access CBT and suboptimal response and relapse rates remain key challenges to the sustainability of CBT. Research on treatments that seeks to improve access to, and outcomes from, CBT for children with anxiety disorders is urgently needed.

This symposium includes three presentations that aim to improve outcomes from, and increase access to, CBT for children in diverse settings. Drawing on basic science research findings, the first presentation reports on a study that aims to improve treatment outcomes by conducting CBT-based exposure therapy during the memory reconsolidation window compared to control conditions outside the memory reconsolidation window and without activation of memory reconsolidation. The second and third presentations aim to enhance access to CBT through partnerships with school-based stakeholders and organised sports stakeholders. The second presentation describes a study that examined the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of an online CBT program delivered through a partnership in which schools identified anxious children and adolescents and outsourced treatment to a university clinic providing an online, minimally therapist supported CBT program. The third presentation reports on the implementation of a CBT-based mental health and wellbeing program within a youth sports development program delivered nationwide to young people in metropolitan, regional and remote areas.

Presenters include early career, mid-career and experienced researchers working with research teams around the world who are committed to improving outcomes and overcoming barriers to accessing evidence-based treatments for young people. By drawing on extensive expertise in the understanding and treatment of childhood anxiety disorders, the discussant will highlight key issues, current challenges and future opportunities in enhancing access and reach and improving outcomes following CBT for childhood anxiety disorders.

Presentations:

• 9:33 AM - 9:52 AM PDT

  (SYM 1) Tackling Youth Mental Health: An Integrated Model of Mental Health Care Within a Youth Sports Development Program
  

  Speaker: Allison Waters, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Griffith University

  Co-Author: Rachel Sluis, PhD – Griffith University

  Co-Author: Wayne Usher, PhD – Griffith University

  Co-Author: Lara Farrell, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Griffith University

  Co-Author: Caroline Donovan, PhD (she/her/hers) – Griffith University

  Co-Author: Kathryn Modecki, PhD – University of Western Australia

  Co-Author: Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck, PhD (she/her/hers) – Griffith University
• 9:52 AM - 10:11 AM PDT

  (SYM 1) Enhancing Outcomes from CBT for Anxious Children: Conducting Exposure Therapy Within the Memory Consolidation Window
  

  Speaker: Carly Johnco, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Macquarie University

  Co-Author: Ella Oar, BPsych(Hons), DPsych(Clin) – Macquarie University

  Co-Author: Viviana Wuthrich, Ph.D., Other (she/her/hers) – Macquarie University

  Co-Author: Eric Storch, Ph.D. – Baylor College of Medicine

  Co-Author: Allison Waters, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Griffith University

  Co-Author: Ronald Rapee, Ph.D. – Macquarie University
• 10:11 AM - 10:30 AM PDT

  (SYM 1) Icbt in Schools: A Pilot Study Investigating the Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online School-based Treatment Program for Childhood Anxiety
  

  Speaker: Sophie J. Dickson, Other – Macquarie University

  Co-Author: Lauren F. McLellan, D. Phil. – Macquarie University

  Co-Author: Heidi Lyneham, Ph.D. – Macquarie University

  Co-Author: Ronald Rapee, Ph.D. – Macquarie University