Cognitive behavior therapy for child and adolescent anxiety disorders: an update on recent evidence
Open accessAbstract
Purpose of review To present an updated review of recent studies into the effect of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, ways to increase access to therapy, and predictors and moderators of therapy effect. Recent findings The evidence base of CBT for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents continues to grow, demonstrating short and long-term efficacy and effectiveness. However, compared with active control conditions its effect appear to be modest; and a substantial percentage of youth do not show stable long-term remission. Standard CBT is often costly, with high noncompletion rates. New strategies to increase access to effective therapy for the large number of youth with anxiety disorders is therefore of priority. Additionally, there is a need for developing new ways to treat nonresponders, and to identify predictors and moderators of the effects of CBT. Summary Although there is evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of CBT for youth with anxiety disorders, there is doubt regarding its superiority over active control comparisons. Long-term outcome is uncertain, as a substantial percentage of youth remains impaired at follow-up. It is essential to develop more cost-efficient strategies to reach youth with anxiety disorders with effective treatments, and to identify early indicators for youth needing additional therapy.
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CBT is limited by the fact that not everyone fully benefits from this type of therapy.
“However, although CBT relapse rates are as low as 14 % (Levy et al., 2021), it is limited by the fact that not everyone fully benefits from this type of therapy (Heiervang et al., 2018), and the observed effect sizes are small to moderate (Oud et al., 2019).”
From Process of change and efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescents: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. (2025) · cites this paper as Heiervang et al., 2018
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Petersen, J. M., Zurita Ona, P., & Twohig, M. P. (2024) · Cognitive and Behavioral Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.08.002 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
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“These findings are essential to the field, considering so little research has been conducted on long-term GCBT clinical outcomes (Heiervang et al., 2018).”
Self-citationBreinholst, S., Walczak, M., Christiansen, B., & Esbjørn, B. H. (2021) · Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.jbct.2020.11.008 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Salud mental en la adolescencia (I). Ansiedad y depresión
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“However, CBT is insufficient for a sub - stantial group of youth with anxiety disorders (Baker et al., 2021; Heiervang et al., 2018; Wergeland et al., 2021).”
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“Previous studies with adolescent community samples offer contrasting results on how gender relates to the effectiveness of interventions based on ICBT [48,57] because girls tend to have better effects [48].”
ResultInfluentialSports competition related anxiety: Is it modifiable among athletes in urban schools in Sri Lanka?
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- Authors
- Heiervang, E. R., Villabø, M. A., & Wergeland, G. J.
- Affiliations
- Oslo University Hospital (NO)
- Haukeland University Hospital (NO)
- Corresponding author
- Heiervang, Einar R.
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Psychiatry
- Published
- 2018-11
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 484-489
- ISSN
- 0951-7367 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2931336043
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6
- FWCI
- 1.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Keywords
- cognitive behavioral therapy, childhood anxiety disorders, adolescent anxiety disorders, treatment efficacy, long-term remission, access to therapy, non-responders, treatment discontinuation, active control
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Anxiety Disorders, Child, Humans, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome
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