The Cool Kids program is a scientifically tested course that teaches children and their parents how to better manage their anxiety. It is a group program involving the participation of both children and their parents, and focuses on teaching clear and practical skills. Current results indicate that around 80% of young people who complete our programs show significant improvement. Following treatment, there are marked increases in school attendance, academic achievement, confidence, number of friends and involvement in extra-curricular activities and decreases in worry, fear and family distress.
Topics covered in the program include:
- What is anxiety?
- Me and my anxiety
- Learning about feelings
- Detective thinking, and learning to think more realistically
- Fighting fear by facing fear
- Learning to solve a problem
- Why be a confident person?
- Dealing with teasing
Participating in our research programs allows families access to cutting edge treatment for anxiety, at a cost considerably less than that charged by private psychologists. We can keep costs down because we are funded by the Australian Government to conduct research into anxiety in young people. People who attend our programs are asked to help with the research in a variety of ways. Firstly, participants are asked to assist us by filling in questionnaires and coming in for assessments, even after their program has finished. This is because our studies investigate the long-term effectiveness of the treatments we provide.
When will we go into the group?
Groups run from 6-8pm in the evenings Monday to Thursdays for a period of 10 weeks during school term. If deemed suitable and pending your completion of all research, your child will be offered a place in the first available group. If you cannot attend this first group you may be offered a second group the following term.
If you do not take up the second offer, you may have to be reassessed at your own expense to attend a future program.
What do I do now?
If you are interested in participating in the Cool Kids program, or would simply like more information, please call us directly on (02) 9850-8711